She attended a one room school that was 3 miles from her home. She and her brother walked to school. It was when she went to school that the teacher changed her name to “Bella”.
Bella’s parents came to Canada in 1909 from Bukovyna, Ukraine and farmed in the Sheho area. As a young woman, Bella was adventuresome. She tired of working in the fields and at the age of 18 (during WW2) travelled to what is now Thunder Bay, Ontario.
There along with many young women, she worked in an airplane factory putting together wheel parts for the war planes. After the war, she moved to Toronto where at a dance, she met her husband to be, John Kopan. John was from Insinger, Saskatchewan (not far from Sheho) but they never crossed paths until they met in Toronto. They got engaged and returned to Saskatchewan for their wedding in 1948. Vows were taken in the Ukrainian Orthodox church in Insinger. In True Ukrainian tradition, following the church service, John had a reception at his place in Insinger and Bella had a reception at her parent’s place on the farm. Then, John, along with his attendants came to Bella’s to claim “his bride”.
They lived in Insinger where John had an auto and farm equipment dealership. Their children were born here. During this era in her life, Bella was active in church activities, and taught her children Ukrainian Easter and Christmas traditions such as paska, babka and kolach making as well as painting Ukrainian Easter eggs.
In 1966, the Kopan’s moved to Victoria and quickly got involved with St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Veselka, both in it infancy and still today. Her children were involved with Veselka both dancing, providing music and in the administrative. She would often reminisce about the days when Veselka had a float in the Victoria Day parade, organizing, preparing and cooking for Folk Fest. There were many Veselka get togethers at the Kopan house with Bella making sure that they were all fed. The dance group continues to be a major promoter of Ukrainian Culture in Victoria and surrounding areas.
Bella and John were part of the founding members of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Victoria. She was in charge of the kitchen area for many years making cabbage rolls, pyrohy, baking for Easter traditions and making borshcht for the pyrohy suppers. She was also a Director on the Board of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre. Her experience in the affairs of the Ukrainian Community and wise comments were always welcome.
Bella lived in her own home right to the end. She enjoyed making and freezing Ukrainian food for her family and she had many customers that would ring her up for cabbage rolls and pyrohy. Many friends enjoyed Ukrainian Christmas and Easter at her house.
We would like to express special thanks to all the Doctors and their office staff, nurses, health care workers, bus drivers (casino and handyDART) that played a role in making Bella have a nice quality of life for the last 6 years.
Viewing: 11:00 a.m. on June 22, 2017 at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive; Funeral at 1 p.m. on June 22, 2017 at McCall Gardens Sequoia Centre; with Burial following at 2.30 p.m. at Royal Oak Burial Park.
Reception will be at Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 3277 Douglas Street, phone ( 250) 475-2585.
Flowers are greatly appreciated but a donation in her memory could be made to the ALS society, SPCA or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences maybe offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
11 Responses
Our condolences to the Kopan Family at the passing of Bella. Bella was the last surviving founding member of Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of St. George in Victoria, and her contributions include serving on executives, committees, and most notably, being in charge of the kitchen for many years. Her willingness to always help in whatever way she could (Bella made the best borscht!)was always appreciated, as was her clever wit and generosity.