SENKIW, Christina (nee WELYHORSKY) October 20, 1950 – July 19, 2018 After bravely battling debilitating illness, Christina passed away on July 19, 2018.
Predeceased by her beloved husband and soul mate George, her parents, Ihor Welyhorsky and Bohdana (Wepryk) and sister Marta, she will be greatly missed by relatives from the Welyhorskyj, Senkiw, Crombie, Meller, Kowalsky, Moskaliuk, Onyschuk families as well as by her countless devoted friends throughout Canada, USA and Ukraine. Being multi-talented, Christina was a visual artist, author, illustrator, designer, art reviewer and editor. A graduate of the University of Toronto (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and of the Ontario College of Art, she then pursued painting and writing. She exhibited her paintings in 13 solo and numerous group exhibitions throughout North America.
Her work also included five series of charming pictures for children and numerous illustrations. She wrote and illustrated seven books, including several wonderful bilingual – English and Ukrainian – children’s books. Christina, along with her late husband George, formed two publishing companies, very successfully marketing and selling her books and art reproductions. Christina was active in several organizations, serving on many committees and on boards of writers’ and artists’ organizations, including: The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC), Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP), Royal Ontario Museum – Currelly Legacy Society Executive Committee, Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists in Canada (USOM), Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation’s KUMF Gallery, Visual Arts Ontario and Arts Etobicoke. Christina was a gracious, generous and loving person.
She enjoyed entertaining, traveled extensively and supported theatre, visual and literary arts, music and opera in Toronto. Christina was very grateful to her doctors and the wonderful staff at Toronto General and Princess Margaret Hospitals for their exemplary care.
Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W. (east of the Jane subway) on Thursday, July 26 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Panakhyda at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation or the Canada-Ukraine Foundation Medical Mission would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca