Katerina Spiewak celebrated her 100th birthday at the Ukrainian Village Apartments on August 16. With the help of her niece Diane Kurylo (left), she blew out her birthday candles.
Advertising
WARREN – Katerina “Katherine” Spiewak is known as a hardworking woman who makes friends easily and makes a point of not arguing with others.
She also spends a lot of time volunteering at bingo at the Ukrainian Village Apartments, where she lives.
These properties could be the reason for their longevity.
On August 16, about 60 family members and friends gathered at the facility to celebrate Spiewak’s 100th birthday. Her son, Bo Spiewak, and Ukrainian Village staff hosted the surprise birthday party.
As the birthday girl entered the complex’s multipurpose room, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday.” Emotions overwhelmed the crowd as Spiewak was greeted with hugs, cards, gifts and flowers. Friend and roommate Rosemary Dyell placed a “100 and Fabulous” sash around Spiewak’s neck and placed a princess crown on her head.
“She’s the best woman I’ve ever met. She tries to be friends with everyone,” Dyell said. “She’s like my late mother. My mother would be proud of her for taking such good care of her.”
Also in attendance were Spiewak’s daughter-in-law Elaine and niece Diane Kurylo. Some of Spiewak’s three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also attended the celebration. Lunch included pizza, salad, cake and lemonade. Later in the celebration, a local resident read to Spiewak in Ukrainian, which Kurylo translated for the Warren Weekly.
“May you be healthy. May you have another 50 years. Be happy and be lucky with your friends,” Kurylo said. “In this house, we are all family.”
Spiewak – in a hand-embroidered Ukrainian blouse – was completely surprised by the birthday party.
“I didn’t expect that,” said the centenarian with tears in her eyes.
“This is all for you,” Kurylo said. “It honors you.”
Spiewak’s story begins in 1924. She was born Katerina Polenyk in Ukraine and is 100% Ukrainian. When World War II broke out, Spiewak, then 17, moved to Germany and found a job “working for a lady.”
“She had a restaurant and was very nice to me,” Spiewak said. “Some people had a hard time in Germany, but I had a good life.”
According to family history, Spiewak’s hometown was occupied during the war. The German invasion separated Ukrainians and Poles.
“The house where my aunt lived was handed over to Poland. My aunt was further separated from her parents,” Kurylo said. “They were taken to Ternopil in Ukraine, while Katerina was taken by train to Berlin to work.”
Spiewak remembers the “destruction” of the war.
“There were people everywhere,” she said. “War only brings tragedy.”
The young woman met her husband Mykola, also Ukrainian, in Berlin. They married and had a son, Bo. When the conflict ended, the family moved to an internment camp. Eventually, a sponsor selected them to bring them to America in 1950. She remembers crowds streaming through Ellis Island.
“When I came to Detroit, we had no work, nothing,” Spiewak said.
Mykola died 31 years ago. For many years, Spiewak worked on her family farm at Yale.
“She’s spent most of her life there,” Kurylo said. “She’s a very hardworking person and it’s wonderful to see it pay off. She’s always been kind and has a lot of friends no matter where she goes.”
Christine Burns, Lori Burns and Mackenzie Burns came from Yale for the birthday party. Christine is Lori’s sister-in-law and Mackenzie is Lori’s daughter. Christine’s mother Joann was very good friends with Spiewak. The two often went to church and to eat together. A running joke was that Spiewak would sometimes go to the bar with Christine’s parents to eat while her son looked for her.
“It’s incredible,” Christine said on her 100th birthday. “She has so many stories to tell. She’s had so many different experiences in her life.”
Lori appreciates the wisdom Spiewak has shared with her over the years. Another aspect that always stood out to Lori was Spiewak’s deep faith in the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The families were so close that Spiewak often attended the Burns children’s birthday parties.
“It was great,” Mackenzie said. “We loved her. We called her Grandma.”
Juanita Daniels, Community Manager of Ukrainian Village Apartments, thanked all guests for coming to the party.
“I really appreciate you coming to honor Katherine,” she said. “Katherine is 100 years old. When you first told me that, I couldn’t believe it. Your mind is razor sharp.”
As the birthday cake was cut, Daniels ended her speech by remembering Spiewak: “We love and appreciate you.”
You might also be interested in
Advertising
