It is with great sadness that our beloved Iryna Partyka and baby Akim Igorevich left our family and this world on Friday, March 22, 2013 in Regina General Hospital due to complications during a delicate pregnancy. Iryna is survived by her husband, Igor Kozlov, Weyburn; her children: Medina Kozlova and Sophie Kozlova, Weyburn; her parents, Mykolay and Zoya Partyka, Ukraine; sister, Svetlana Koykova; mother-in-law, Ninel Smolnikova, Toronto; sister-in-law, Natalya Kayumov, Toronto. Iryna Partyka was born to Mykolay and Zoya Partyka October 18, 1977 in the seaside resort city of Yalta, in the Crimean region of southern Ukraine on the Black Sea. Iryna completed her secondary education in 1995 and enrolled in the Yaltinski Kommerchinskyi College in the Culinary Arts program to pursue her love of cooking. While enrolled, during one of her work term placements she had the opportunity to work with her future husband Igor Kozlov. Igor remarked to his mother that he had fallen for a tall raven haired beauty with green eyes and that it was true love! Returning to complete her education, Igor and Iryna remained close friends and began a life together once Iryna had completed her studies. They both enjoyed good jobs in Yalta, and Iryna had an excellent placement at the Hotel Bristol, the oldest and most prestigious hotel in the resort of Yalta, as a food services specialist. Iryna and Igor then, much to their delight, welcomed their first daughter Medina Kozlova in April of 2000. In 2008, as Igor's sister and family had by then emigrated to Canada, Iryna and Igor and young Medina decided that they would set out on an adventure and emigrated to Canada to pursue a life of independence and to experience a new part of the world. Igor was fortunate to have a job offer from a Weyburn business, Stewart Steel as a welder, and since Igor was a welding instructor, and Iryna being in food services, could find work as well, they decided that they would have a go of it. The Stewarts extended their hospitality to the new immigrants, helping them find accommodations and to get acquainted to their new home of Weyburn. Iryna was able to find work with the local Legion and began working in the kitchen as the chef. After some time she began to remark that even though her English was not the best, everyone began to understand her and she could begin to understand what Stan was saying most of the time. She was truly loved by all who knew her and by those who tasted her always delicious meals prepared with love and care. Her love of cuisine was always a favorite topic of hers and she loved to get new recipes from her many friends - Canadian, Russian and Ukrainian. She loved traditional recipes from her youth and hometown and often served them to guests at the Legion. Of course, her family was her testing ground and like any great chef there was always the odd meal that may not have delighted the taste buds! Iryna and Igor then had the wonderful gift of their second child, Sophie Kozlova in November 2011 and later Iryna worked only part time to host the All You Can Eat perogy nights for the legion and the curling rink. In February of this year Igor and Iryna announced that they were expecting a third child to the delight of her family and all that knew her and began to make preparations for their growing family when complications arose and both Iryna and baby Akim passed. Iryna was passionate about crafts and cooking and could really do anything that she set her mind to. She was an excellent seamstress, and could mend or alter even the most cherished items that people would bring by. Iryna and Igor bought their first house in 2010 in Weyburn and she was always busy painting and decorating and making it feel like the wonderful home that it is. She was strong and independent and took it upon herself to learn how to drive and we would often laugh with her at how nervous her husband would get in the passenger seat! When guests would come to the house there was always a hot pot of tea and delicious treats served no matter what! She was always positive and upbeat and truly a caring person who made everyone around her feel appreciated. She is sadly missed by her young family and Iryna will always be remembered by those who knew her and loved her. Although she may not be present in form she will always be there watching over and loving her family in spirit. Prayers were held on Wednesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. from RD Family Funeral Chapel, Weyburn. A funeral service for Iryna was held on Thursday, March 28 at 10:00 a.m. from RD Family Funeral Chapel, Weyburn with Very Rev. Slawomir Lomaszkiewicz, officiating. Crossbearer was Alexander Nikulin. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Active Pallbearers were Jodie Mantei, Ken Helfrick, Shane Druck, Vlad Bendasyuk, Kostya Khorolets and Mike Penner. For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Iryna may be made to the Iryna Partyka Trust Fund, Box 1117, Weyburn, SK S4H 2L3. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (306-848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com "Our family serving your family"
