Educator, consultant, artist, musician.
Born in Western Ukraine on 11 January 1943, eldest of three daughters of Ahafia Kostyshyn (1920-2016) and Wasyl “Bill” Kostyshyn (1914-1962), her family immigrated to Alberta in 1949 and moved to Winnipeg two years later. A teacher in the River East School Division as well as a talented performer and creative force, she was a member of the Manitoba Youth Orchestra, Ukrainian Theatre, and Plast Ukrainian Youth Association. She showcased her art in several exhibitions.
Her career transitioned into public policy when she joined the Manitoba provincial government as a creative arts consultant, developing cultural and leadership training programs. She was a leader in human rights, instituting cross-cultural and anti-racism training for the civil service and various corporations. She served on the negotiating team for Manitoba’s immigration and settlement programs and conducted annual citizenship courts at the Manitoba Legislature. At the time of her retirement, she was the Manager of Social-Cultural Initiatives and the Government and Community Liaison for the Manitoba-Ukraine Secretariat. She served as President of the Board of Directors for the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre.
For her dedication to her province and culture, she received several honors including a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the Arts (1983), a City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (1983), and a Manitoba Meritorious Service Award (?), and she was recognized as an Osvita Foundation honoree.
She and husband Kenneth Rex “Ken” Bailey (1931-2008) had two children.
She passed away at Winnipeg on 13 July 2016.
Obituary [Wasyl Kostyshyn], Winnipeg Tribune, 26 March 1962, page 2.
Obituary [Kenneth Rex Bailey], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 January 2008.
Obituary [Ahafia Kostyshyn], Winnipeg Free Press, 13 June 2016.
Obituary [Nadya Kostyshyn-Bailey], Winnipeg Free Press, 20 July 2016.
This page was prepared by Zeel Bulsara.
Page revised: 29 August 2026
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