Obituary of Leonora Yaremovich

DR. LEONORA HAWIRKO (MRS. A. J. YAREMOVICH) 1914-2008 Peacefully, on October 4, 2008 Dr. Leonora Hawirko (Mrs. A. J. Yaremovich) slipped away after a long and full life. Born in Winnipeg, she was the daughter of Anna and John Hawirko who both immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine in the early 1900's. Lee entered studies at the University of Manitoba during the depression at a time when there were both few female students and few students of Ukrainian descent. She was accepted to the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine as one of a quota of four women accepted each year. When she graduated in 1937 she was the first woman of Ukrainian descent to graduate as a doctor of medicine in Canada which began a medical career spanning over 50 years. Lee first practiced medicine in Moose Jaw and then practiced in Edmonton during WW II, where she co-published a research paper on innovative weight control involving medication. She decided however, that she wanted to practice on her own and returned to Winnipeg to start her own practice in 1948 in which she continued until her retirement in 1989. She restricted the patients in her practice to women, as it was difficult for a woman to find a female family doctor in Winnipeg at that time. In 1951 she married Anthony John Yaremovich and became Mrs. A. J. Yaremovich but continued to practice medicine as Dr. Leonora Hawirko with which she was perfectly comfortable but was unusual for a woman of her time. They had one daughter, Patricia, and after her birth, Lee successfully balanced career and motherhood. Lee had a close circle of friends and an active social life both within the Ukrainian community with her husband Tony and through her own involvement with Alpha Omega and the Quota Club International of which she was a member for over 50 years. After Tony died in 1993, six months later on their wedding anniversary, her first granddaughter Alex was born in Vancouver. Alex was followed by Vanessa a year later. Lee visited Vancouver frequently and spent many months with her granddaughters as they grew up. Lee was always humble about her accomplishments but she served as a role model for many women, especially within the Ukrainian community. She is survived by her sister, Roma; daughter, Patricia; and two granddaughters, Alex and Vanessa. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Leonora's name to the Canadian Cancer Society. A Funeral Service will be held today, Wednesday, October 8 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Mom will be laid to rest best her beloved Anthony at the All Saints Cemetery. CROPO Chapel 586.8044