Maria Zobniw

By Walter Kish

Several weeks ago, while vacationing in the United States, I heard on the news the tragic story of yet another deranged individual taking out his frustrations, anger and failures on the innocent by brutally killing thirteen people at an immigrant aid centre in Binghamton, New York, before taking his own life.  Although such events have become a little too common in recent years, I was still overwhelmed by the absolute irrationality and tragedy of it all.

I can even understand why certain individuals may be motivated to take their own lives, but I will never understand the mentality and sheer heartlessness of taking the lives of others who have done you no harm.  Mental illness somehow does not do justice to what to me is manifest evil in its purest form.

It was not until some time later that I learned that one of the victims was Maria Zobniw, a prominent member of Binghamton’s Ukrainian community.  To say prominent is in fact also not doing proper justice to who Maria Zobniw was.  As I found out more about her life, such terms as volunteer, activist, organizer, promoter, counsellor, teacher, leader, role model and motivator kept framing what was unquestionably a fruitful life whose positive impact not only touched but greatly enriched the lives of all those around her. For over forty years, she was a cornerstone of Ukrainian life in Binghamton and the surrounding area.

Maria Zobniw was also the aunt of friends of mine, Renata and Eugene Roman.  Many of you will recognise Eugene as the Chairman of the Board, Ukrainian Credit Union [in Ontario].  I may not have known Maria personally, but the more I read about her remarkable and productive life, the more I came to realise that in fact I really knew her quite well.  I have no doubt that most of you would recognise her as well.

She was the person who dedicated her life and energy to serving the Ukrainian community.  She was always involved.  Whenever a volunteer was needed, or a task had to be done, she was the first to raise her hand.  She was the one that worked long evenings and weekends to organize all those cultural, memorial and traditional events that mark the Ukrainian calendar. She was the one that made sure that there was a Ukrainian school to teach our children about their language, culture and history.  She was the one that took the initiative to inform and promote all things Ukrainian to the wider community. She was the one on any given committee whom you could always count on to do the work, and she was on many, many committees.  She was the one that spent countless hours on the phone organizing things, motivating people and making sure that things got done.

People like Maria Zobniw are the heart, soul and backbone of Ukrainian communities throughout the Diaspora. They not only preserve the legacy of a thousand years of Ukrainian life, they are in fact part of that legacy. They represent the very best of what Ukrainian civilization has produced over the past millennium.

There is a well known saying within the Ukrainian organization that I grew up in to the effect that our strength lies in ourselves.  The strength of Ukrainian organizations and communities everywhere lies within people like Maria Zobniw.

We unfortunately tend to take them for granted, assuming that they will always be there, that we can rely on them as always to carry the burden and always answer the call.  Sadly for us, Maria Zobniw has answered another call, a call to be with her maker.  We wish her everlasting joy and peace – she has certainly earned it.

As for those of us left behind, perhaps we could take some time to appreciate and recognise the Maria Zobniw’s that are still with us, the individuals that through their efforts keep the Ukrainian culture, spirit, traditions and community strong and vibrant.

Reflect upon the Maria Zobniw’s in your community and take the time to let them know that you appreciate their efforts and are grateful for them.  Do so while you still have the privilege of their presence, before they pass on to a higher reward.