OBITUARY: Peter and Nadia Woroby, Saskatchewan activists (07/14/02)

OBITUARY: Peter and Nadia Woroby, Saskatchewan activists

by Nadia Kazymyra-Dzioba

REGINA, Saskatchewan - In a very short period of time, the Ukrainian Canadian community lost two members who made significant contributions for over 50 years. Dr. Peter Woroby, professor emeritus of the University of Regina, passed away after a long illness on May 5, Julian Calendar Easter, exactly five months after the death of his beloved wife, Nadia Woroby, who passed away unexpectedly on December 5, 2001.

Dr. Woroby was born in Starhorod, Ukraine, and attended university in Berlin and Goettingen, where he received his Ph.D. in economics after World War II. In 1949 he took a position at the University of Manitoba, and in 1952 became director of economic research for the Saskatchewan Power Corp.

He joined the faculty of economics at the University of Regina in 1965 and became professor emeritus in 1987. He is the author of numerous scholarly publications and government studies (in urban economics and demography), and was a contributor to two royal commissions.

During his full and productive life, Prof. Woroby was recognized many times for his professional accomplishments, and for his service to community organizations. He was a founding member of the Regina chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Club, headed the Ukrainian Canadian Committee in Regina, and served in its executive at the national level.

In 1990 he was appointed special advisor to the government of Saskatchewan on Ukraine, and served in this capacity until 1995. He traveled to Ukraine frequently, where he lectured on economic reforms, provided consultation to Parliamentarians and academic institutes, and initiated several significant Canada-Ukraine partnerships.

On May 8, the Regina Leader-Post interviewed several individuals in an article reporting Prof. Woroby's death. A former student, Orest Warnyca, noted that Dr. Woroby was a "congenial, compassionate individual ... He had all kinds of time for you whenever you needed anything. He was very culturally minded and very worldly in his knowledge and very interested in promoting the betterness of the community, not only for the Ukraine group, but for all groups."

Ed Klopoushak of the University of Regina added, "He'll be missed in the Ukrainian community. He was a stalwart for many, many years."

Nadia Woroby, nee Cherniak, was born in Kovel, Ukraine. She came from a musical family and received her higher education in Lutsk. She was also involved in theater throughout her early adult life. She met and married her husband in Goettingen, Germany before immigrating to Canada in 1948. The Worobys settled first in Winnipeg, then moved to Regina in 1952, where they resided until their deaths.

During her life in Canada, Nadia was active in the Regina Musical Club, the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Churches, community organizations, and was a strong supporter of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Regina Conservatory of Music.

The Worobys are survived by three daughters, Tania Woroby of Montreal, Tamara Woroby of Silver Spring, Md., and Katya Reeson and her husband, Richard, of Edmonton, as well as several grandchildren and other family members.

They will be missed not only by the community that they served, but especially by those who knew them. Mrs. Woroby was a beacon of warmth and cheer. She had an indomitable spirit, and lit up a room with her elegant radiance. Dr. Woroby was a true gentleman, with a keen intellect and a tender and gentle heart. Both had an extremely strong sense of family and friendship.

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