Sophie Bereza (nee Zwirynec)

Sophie Bereza, of Portage la Prairie, passed away peacefully the morning of July 27th, 2026 at Holy Family Home in Winnipeg at the age of 92. She will be met by her loving husband Harry, parents Stefan and Apollonia Zwirynec (Tomkiw), sisters Maria and Hania, cousins Nellie and John Bereza, and Pearl and Bill Cebry. She will be missed by her sister Olya of Ukraine, daughters Luba and Kelly, favourite nieces Lasha and family (Ed, Stephanie, Julie, Albert, Jack, Quinn, Sasha, Danny), Carol and family (Evan, Cara) and a large, extended family in Ukraine.

Sophie was born in Byshky, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine on August 18, 1933. Byshky held such vivid memories for her, of the church and the fields of poppies surrounding the village. The Second World War tore her away as she and her Mother and Father found themselves in a displaced persons camp in Germany. It was there, at the tender age of 17, she met a shy young man who became her beloved husband Harry. They retold their courtship tales frequently, especially the one where Sophie crashed the truck Harry was responsible for!

They made their way to Canada in 1950 with the sponsorship of dear cousin John Bereza. Harry & Sophie built a life dedicated to their families, both here and those left in Ukraine and to the Ukrainian community of Portage la Prairie. Sophie was a consummate Ukrainian Mama. She loved her flower gardens, always slightly chaotic but brimming with blooms. She ensured we were all fed endless perogies with her especially tasty carmelized onions. She embroidered and created beautiful pysanky. She sang in the church choir but the most precious memory of her sweet voice was while she was doing mundane things like hanging laundry or doing dishes. Up until last year, she could recite by memory, the poems of Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrainka, astonishing her family in Ukraine during video calls.

Sophie’s home these last six years was at Holy Family Home in Winnipeg, where her cultural and spiritual life was fulfilled. The family is deeply grateful to the nurses, aides, recreation, food services, cleaning, and spiritual care staff who all took care of her with dignity and kindness.

Service will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 11:00 a.m. at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel in Portage la Prairie, followed by a light lunch. Private burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery.

For anyone inclined, donations in Sophie’s memory can be made to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal campaign. 

Вічная памʼять Мама. Ми тебе дуже любимо.

Слава Україні! Героям Слава!

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com