Sister Irenea Hankewych

Vichnaya Pamyiat! Eternal Memory!

Today, July 14, 2026, Sister Irenea Hankewych, OSBM, of Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province, Fox Chase, USA, went to be with the Lord in her 88th year of life and in the 57th year of her consecrated life. 

Born in Borschiw, Ukraine on May 20, 1939 to the late Oleksa (Alex) and Anna (Lisewych) Hankewych. She was baptized on October 15, 1943 by her grandfather, Fr. Ozydor Hankewych. She came to the USA with her parents in 1949.  She attended Josephinum High School, Chicago, IL as well as Manor Junior College, Jenkintown, PA, Seton Hall University, NJ and Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

On September 4, 1966, Martha entered the convent of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great. She took her Temporary Profession (First Vows) on May 28, 1969 and took her Solemn Profession (Final vows) on July 28, 1974 as Sister Irenea Hankewych.

Sister undertook teaching ministries at St. Basil Home in Philadelphia, PA, from 1969 to 1970; at Immaculate Conception in Hamtramck, MI from 1970 to 1976; St. George in New York City form 1976 to 1978; St. Josaphat in Parma, OH from 1978 to 1985; St. Nicholas in  Chicago, IL from 1985 to 1991; at St. Josaphat in Parma, OH as Principal from 1991 to 1996; and lastly back to  St. Nicholas in  Chicago, IL from 1996 to 2020 and as Principal from 1997 to 2018. Sister was in residence at the Sisters’ Motherhouse in Fox Chase Manor, PA from 2020 until her death.

Sister is predeceased by her parents Oleksa and Anna Hankewych, and her brother Jaroslav Hankewych. She is survived by her sister-in-law: Maria Hankewych, nieces Daria (Danylo Butenko) Hankewych with their children Larysa and Mykola Butenko, Tamara Hankewych, Ksenia (Matthew Rakowsky) Hankewych with their children, Emilia and Adam Rakowsky, aunts Olha Hankewycz and Mira Hankewych, goddaughters Lida Hankewych Randolph, Roxana Markewycz Coutts,  and Andrea Matwyshyn. There are numerous first and second cousins as well as extended family in the United States, Canada and Ukraine. 

Sr. Irenea loved growing miniature plants. She also utilized her knowledge of the Ukrainian language by assisting priests with writing and/or translating homilies. She did a lot of work in Ukraine right after Ukraine’s declaration of freedom.  She worked a lot in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine during the summers - both in the seminary and in the Spiritual Institute.

Friends are invited to her viewing on Sunday at 6 PM at Holy Trinity Chapel; Parastas Prayers will be sung at 6:30 PM. Sister Irenea's funeral will be held on Monday at 11 AM at Holy Trinity Chapel with Requiem Liturgy celebrated at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the convent cemetery.

Funeral Liturgy to be Live Streamed!

Family and friends who will not be able to attend Sr. Irenea's funeral on Monday can pray along with us through Ann Laszok's Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010262680717

Sister Irenea's funeral will be held on Monday at Holy Trinity Chapel with Requiem Liturgy celebrated at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the convent cemetery.

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