Educator.
Born at Brooklands on 1 June 2023, elder of two daughters of Irene Czarna (1903-1969) and Peter Hrynczuk (1883-1950), she attended Brooklands School and St. Nicholas School (now Immaculate Heart of Mary School) then the Central Normal School. She subsequently received BA (1965), BEd (1969), and MEd (1972) degrees from the University of Manitoba. She received a PhD degree from the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany (1978).
Her teaching career began at Donald School (1942-1943) and Lac du Bonnet School (1943-1946) before she joined the Winnipeg School Division in 1946. She taught at Florence Nightingale School (1946-1951), Lord Nelson School (1956-1959), Victoria-Albert School (1960-1962), Ellen Douglass School (1963-1964), and Isaac Newton School (1966-1969), and was the Principal of Ashland School (1974-1976).
In 1950, she married schoolteacher Alexander Pankiw (1922-1968) and they had two daughters and three sons. The family lived at 1615 Alexander Avenue (circa 1968). She served as Regional President of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada and was President of the Winnipeg Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Women's Council. She also held leadership roles with the Council of Women of Winnipeg and was an active member of the Winnipeg Teachers' Association, Manitoba Teachers' Society, University of Manitoba senate, and Manitoba Modern Language Association. After retirement in 1993, she served on committees of the City of Winnipeg, led the Manitoba Society of Seniors, and sang in several choirs. She wrote three children's books, published poetry, and played piano.
In recognition of her service, she received a Canadian Centennial Medal (1967), Winnipeg Women of Distinction (1998), and City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (2001).
She died at Winnipeg on 26 January 2025 and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery.
Birth registration [Mary Hrynczuk], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Death registration [Peter Hrynczuk], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Obituary [Peter Hrynczuk], Winnipeg Tribune, 11 April 1950, page 27.
Obituary [Alexander Pankiw], Winnipeg Tribune, 27 December 1968, page 21.
Obituary [Irene Hrynczuk], Winnipeg Free Press, 9 October 1969, page 36.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 8 February 2025.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 15 January 2026
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