NEWS AND VIEWS: Vera Shumeyko and devotion to our community (10/01/00)

NEWS AND VIEWS

Vera Shumeyko and devotion to our community

by Mary E. Pressey

Several months ago, on July 10, the Ukrainian community in New York and vicinity was greatly saddened to learn of Vera Shumeyko's passing into the spiritual realm. Most friends and acquaintances were aware of her absence from her place of business and social events, but few realized the seriousness of the condition that took her life at the age of 78.

Mrs. Shumeyko was born in New York City on September 8, 1922, to Stephen and Stephania Kobasniuk, who immigrated to the United States from the Carpathian region at the turn of the century. Settling in New York City, the Kobasniuks established a travel business in 1920 and Vera, even during her student years, was instrumental in helping the business grow.

In 1948 she married Anthony Shumeyko, who joined the Kobasniuk travel agency as an insurance broker, and together with her parents they devoted their time and energy to the growth and prosperity of the business and to helping the Ukrainian community by generously supporting their organizations.

Upon her father's death in 1952, Mrs. Shumeyko and her husband became the sole proprietors of the Kobasniuk Travel company, which specialized in tours to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.

In 1961, with great skill and some apprehension, Mrs. Shumeyko organized and guided the first tour to Soviet Ukraine by non-Communist Ukrainians which blazed a trail for thousands of Ukrainians to visit their families and relatives in their homeland. Simultaneously, the Shumeykos welcomed the newly arrived immigrants, aiding them in uniting with their families and friends, and obtaining vital official translation services in some eight languages.

In the years when tremendous growth flourished in the Ukrainian community, and to the very last, the community could always count on Vera and Anthony Shumeyko's support. In her eulogy, Maria Shust, director of The Ukrainian Museum, warmly praised Mrs. Shumeyko's dedication to the museum, stating that when it opened in 1976 the Shumeykos were among the first and most generous supporters of the institution, providing funds for numerous exhibitions and operating expenses, and donating toward the building fund. Mrs. Shumeyko also sponsored many of the museum's fund-raising events and activities, and in so doing encouraged others to lend their support, Ms. Shust continued.

In a similar vein, Prof. Peter Goy had the highest praise for Mrs. Shumeyko's utmost dedication to his student travel group, "Following in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors," which he organized. Through her travel agency, Mrs. Shumeyko diligently planned the group's itinerary encompassing many European cities to acquaint Ukrainian American students with their Ukrainian heritage in Europe. Her devotion and support knew no bounds for the 11 years that the group existed, Prof. Goy reiterated.

In a further manifestation of her generosity and compassion, Mr. and Mrs. Shumeyko established a permanent scholarship fund in the name of Vera and Anthony Shumeyko from which dividends provided many students with the necessary funds to continue their education.

In the cultural domain, Mrs. Shumeyko was cognizant of the importance of the preservation of her ancestral music, dance and song, and ensured it by supporting, among others, the Dumka Choir and the Bandura Ensemble. To this day the choristers and the bandurists recall with gratitude her generosity in donating to them, respectively, a piano and several bandura instruments, during their times of dire need.

At the time that Ukraine's Consulate General was being established in New York City, the Shumeykos' substantial financial contribution provided a head start for the purchase and renovation of the Consulate's quarters. In the interim, while renovation was in progress, they accommodated the officials of the Consulate, allowing them to conduct their government business for six months on the second floor of the Kobasniuk travel offices.

The Rukh organization also was a grateful recipient of Vera and Anthony Shumeyko's substantial financial help in establishing a fund for assisting the children and families who were scarred by illness as a result of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster.

While Mrs. Shumeyko was deeply involved in and supportive of her community's needs, she found time also for the fulfillment of her own artistic needs. She was a lifelong supporter of New York's famous operas and ballets, and a regular at many other music, art and drama events.

In recognition of Mrs. Shumeyko's services and dedication to Ukrainian causes, the Ukrainian Institute of America in 1990 presented her with a well-deserved achievement award.

In the 80 years since the Kobasniuk Travel Agency was established, the Ukrainian community in New York and vicinity held the highest regard for the education, devotion and patriotism of its principals, and today, although Vera Shumeyko and her husband, Anthony, (who died in 1995) are no longer among us, their indelible mark on the Ukrainian community and its history remains.

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