Luba Maria (Hordienko) Malanij

LUBA MARIA (HORDIENKO) MALANIJ

Luba Maria (Hordienko) Malanij was born on March 30, 1925, in Ukraine. She fell into eternal sleep on August 23, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her children, Christina, Maria, Natalie, and Paul. Luba (meaning Love) joins her husband, Bohdan (meaning God Given) in Heaven.

They met in Shtukaheim, Austria on a farm, where at 17, she worked during WWII. They fell in love and together, returned to Saltzburg, where they were married in 1945, in a labor camp. They were examples of their faith as founding members of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canton, Ohio. They started and ended every day in prayer together.

Luba's proudest moments were when she married Bohdan, had her children, received her driver's license, and became an American citizen, in September 1973. Her name "Luba" was perfect for her because she loved God, her family, and America. She was employed with the Stark County Court House.

Her joy was baking breads and pastries with her daughters and making Verenyky (Pierogies) in assembly lines with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed planting flowers and sharing them with her friends and neighbors. Everyone enjoyed her doughnuts and pizza, topped with Kielbasa over sauce.

Preceding her in death was her father, Ivan and mother, Anna; daughters, Dzvinka (in Austria) in 1946 and Irene in 1960; and husband, Bohdan. She is survived by three daughters, Christina (Randy Toney); Maria (Tom Skelley), Natalie (Andrew Procyk; son, Paul Malanij, who was her caregiver for ten years; grandchildren, Mark Russo, Paul Brown, Larissa Shoup, John Malanij, and Lisa Malanij; along with 25 great-grandchildren.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Hospice, Compassionate Care, and Dr. Dianne Kreptowski for their care given to Luba.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, Lamiell Funeral Home, 1353 Cleveland Avenue, NW, Canton, where the service will take place at 11:00. Canon Leigh A. Kester presiding. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Massillon.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests Memorial Contributions to a favorite charity of the donor's choice.