Katherine Buchynsky

Mrs. Buchynsky was born November 24, 1934 in Bucokvel, Ukraine to the late Vaseli and Maria Jaryniak.

Survivors include her three daughters, Irene Joseph, Lida Benoit and husband Bruce, and Donna Pratt and husband Mark Palange; three grandchildren, Greg Benoit, Amanda Prill, and Justin Pratt; one great-grandson, Dmitry Pratt; and sister, Rose Masnyk.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Buchynsky, and two sisters, Maria Kun and Anna Jaryniak.

She will be buried in the St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Woonsocket, RI.

As a little girl, Katherine lived through the ravages of World War ll. As her parents were forced into German labor camps, Katherine was separated from the rest of her family and worked on a farm tending cows. As the war continued, Katherine fought hunger and isolation but this gave her the strength to face life’s future challenges. She fondly remembers when American soldiers came into the town and her father boosted her to the top of a church steeple to wave a white cloth. As the troops marched in, they greeted all with candy and that was the first time she tasted chocolate!

Katherine arrived in USA with her family when she was 14 years old however 9 months later her father Vaseli passed away and she immediately went to work in a textile factory. Schooling was postponed, but Katherine learned to read and write English in night school. She met her husband at a church social and settled in Cumberland, RI where Katherine worked at Owens-Corning Fiberglass for over 30 years and then at A.T. Cross Pen Company as a quality control inspector. She moved to St. James, NC in 2004 where she was able to start enjoying life. She began traveling with her daughter Irene, to places she had only dreamed about; France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Ukraine, Mexico, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. Despite her difficult life while growing up, Katherine was always smiling and laughing. She extended her joy and love of life to strangers who were immediately became friends. Katherine was a powerhouse of energy, love, and determination. Her spirit will remain with all of us that knew her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com for the Buchynsky family.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.