Olga R. Kusznir

Olga Romana Kusznir, a resident of Huntingdon Valley, PA, died Thursday, February 27, 2020.  She was 88.

Born in Lviv, Ukraine, Olga was the daughter of the late Michael and Natalia (Sodomora) Lototsky.  Her family, including her uncle, children’s book author Antin Lototsky, strove to provide her with an enchanted childhood. 

Sadly, this did not last.  With the advance of Russian troops, her parents fled with Olga, still a youngster.  The German army stopped the train and interned the family in a prison camp.  Eventually, they were rescued by Olga’s uncle, Bohdan Pastivnych (Bohdan Passty), who miraculously secured their release.  It is said Uncle Bohdan was an unsung hero who rescued others during the Nazi era.  Olga and her parents lived with Bohdan in Berlin until the end of the war, taking cover in the basement during bombing sorties.

The family emigrated to the United States in 1949 and settled in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. There, Olga met the love of her life, Stefan.  

Olga worked for many years as a clerk for her late husband's auto dealership, Victor Saab in Roslyn, PA.   When not at work, they shared a  passion for their pets and the outdoors.  They raised many beautiful puppies and chickens.  They built a pond.  Both fish and frogs were revered.  They invited all the beautiful birds and other wildlife  to their home.  Their garden burst with fragrance and colors of flowers, ornamental shrubs, trees, berries, and vegetables.  

They developed a special love for monarch butterflies.  They rescued hundreds over the years.  No doubt, they felt some kinship with the monarch’s difficult migration trek, drawing parallels to their own dangerous migration journey to the USA.

Their romance on earth endured through Stefan’s death in 2014.  Olga will make one more journey, where their love will persist into infinity in heaven.

Olga is survived by her daughters: Maria Natalia Kusznir, Christina Julia Wynnyk-Kusznir (Andrew) and Teresa Stefania Kusznir.  She is predeceased by sons Andrij Kusznir and Tymish Kusznir.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday at 9:30 AM at Annunciation BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Melrose Park, PA.  Panakhyda Prayers will be sung at 10:15 AM with Requiem Liturgy celebrated at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Elkins Park, PA.

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