Maria Kostelyna

Maria Kostelyna
01041949 07252013

My mother was born in Belgium in 1949 to her father, Mychajlo Mychajlyszyn and mother, Anastasia Maciuch. At the age of four, her family immigrated to America where they settled in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago. She had three siblings: older sister, Olia younger sister, Annie and youngest brother Wally.

My mother was an artist and desired to go to art school. She married my father, Roman Kostelyna on June 13, 1970 and moved to Arlington Heights, IL. Together they had two amazing children: my brother Paul and me, Roxanne. Family activities were very important to my parents. As a family, we spent much time traveling throughout the United States camping, sightseeing, and visiting family and friends. A typical Friday night included movies from Blockbuster and pizza from Dondis Pizza.

My mother had a compassionate heart for all people and especially for people in need. This led my mother to a career as a physical therapy assistant. She worked at various nursing homes and performed home health services for the elderly. She was a motivator, and it was important to her that people were well cared for.

After my father passed away in 2003, my mother packed up her Chicago life and moved to Las Vegas to be closer to her sister, Olia brotherinlaw, Cliff and niece, Karen. Her compassionate heart was expressed as she opened her three bedroom home to those in need of a place to live. She embraced her life in Las Vegas. She loved bingo and penny slots. She joined the Red Hatters and kept herself busy with various jobs and her love of gardening.

At my fathers funeral, the priest said, Lets not ask why he was taken from us, but rather why he was given to us This was very memorable and applies to my mother as well. She was put here on this earth to care for people, to make art, to cook large family meals, to laugh at life, to love Christmas, to travel, to give so much love to all, and this does not even begin to express the amazing person she was.

My mother was welcomed into Heaven by God her Sweet Jesus my dad her parents her sister, Annie her brother, Wally one of her best friends, JoAnn and her brotherinlaw, Cliff.

In Las Vegas, she is survived by son, Paul daughterinlaw, Bin Sister, Olia and niece, Karen. In Chicago, she is survived by daughter, Roxanne soninlaw, Steve and her other best friend Olga. And in Wisconsin, she is survived by her nephew, Orest his wife, Linda and their three sons Stephan, Cedric and Bryce.

My mothers love impacted us and so many others. Our lives will never be the same, but the legacy she left will live forever.

She had an intimate service in Las Vegas at the Davis Funeral Home surrounded by close family and friends.

A Chicago service is planned for Wednesday, August 7th 2013 from 3 9 pm with memorial service at 7:30 pm.
Community Church of Barrington
407 S. Grove Avenue
Barrington, IL, 60010
The church is walking distance from Barrington Metra Station

Love,
Roxanne

Service