The family announce with deep sorrow the passing of Antonina Trojan at Mackenzie Health Hospital in Richmond Hill on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the age of 97.
She is predeceased by her beloved daughter Marcella Campbell and husband Michael Trojan. She is also predeceased by her parents Ivan Popov, of Russian descent, and Maria (nee Petrenko) of Ukrainian descent.
She is survived by her children Natalie (Terry Epworth), Lucia (Michael Sharp), Arlene (Norman Clarke), Ailita (John Watson), Darwin (Jodi Morgan), son-in-law Alan Campbell, grandchildren Daniel and Mark Campbell, Alexander Epworth, Jennifer, Katherine and Ryan Sharp, Cameron Watson, and Bradley, Gregory and David Trojan. She is great grandmother to Sophie, Adam, Anya, Daphne, Tessa, Greyson, Colton, Amelia, Michelle, Natasha, and Riley.
Antonina Trojan was born in the village of Svatovo, Ukraine on November 21, 1926. As a child she survived the Holodomor (famine). As a young teen during World War II, Antonina was taken to Germany and assigned to work for a military officer’s family. After the war ended, it was in a displaced persons camp in Germany where she met and married Michael and had their first child, Marcella.
In 1949 Antonina immigrated to Canada to join Michael, who immigrated the year before and was living in Thunder Bay. In 1950 they moved to Barrie where they raised their six children.
Antonina spoke multiple languages and upon arriving in Canada, quickly became fluent in English. She helped many new immigrants navigate legal documents as they settled in a new country. With her educational aspirations being interrupted by the war, Antonina sought work opportunities in a variety of fields. Known as Toni by her coworkers, she was recognized as a skilled welder at Westbend, a steel cookware manufacturer.
Antonina and her family kept close ties with the Ukrainian community in Toronto, often attending traditional religious services at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Music was always a big part of Antonina’s life. She played both the classical guitar and the accordion, and was known for her beautiful singing voice. Her friends often called upon her to sing traditional Ukrainian songs.
Antonina will be deeply missed by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 10 am – 12 pm at Adams Funeral Home, 445 St. Vincent Street, Barrie. Funeral service at 1pm at Trinity Anglican Church, 24 Collier Street followed by reception at Adams Funeral Home. Private interment at Barrie Union Cemetery. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.