Olga Melnyk

Olga Melnyk, nee Iwaniuk, was born in Bursztyn, Ukraine on November 15, 1926. At the age of 15 she was taken to Germany during World War II to work in the coal mines where she met Teodor, whom she married in the Displaced Persons Camp in 1946 after the War.
They emigrated to America in 1949 and immediately began participating in Ukrainian life in Chicago. They became members of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Parish and the Ukrainian-American Youth Association where Teodor joined the band as a tuba player and Olga sang in the choir as an alto. In 1959 they moved Northwest and became active members of St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church, where they joined the church choir as well as the Holy Name Society (Teodor,) and Altar & Rosary Society (Olga.) For years they operated the pizza booth at the annual Carnival, the Acres of Fun Festival. Mrs. Melnyk was a well-known and respected baker in the Ukrainian community. Her specialties were Paska (Easter bread), Korovaj (wedding bread,) and tortes. She enjoyed life and loved going to parties, concerts, and dances. She frequently entertained at her home and cooked and baked for many guests over the years. She worked for Knowles Electronics, Inc. as an assembler until her retirement. She was predeceased by her husband Teodor, her parents Nykola and Maria Iwaniuk, her brother Andrij Iwaniuk, and sister Anna Iwaniuk. She is survived by her daughter Maria, many nieces and nephews in the US, Canada, and Ukraine, fourteen godchildren, and her many friends. Visitation will be held on Sunday at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave Norridge, IL 60706 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Panachyda at 6:00 p.m. Funeral will begin at the funeral home on Monday at 9:30 a.m. and will proceed to St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church for 10:30 a.m. Funeral Service. Interment to follow at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. For more info please call 708-456-8300.