News
Sister Irenea Hankewych, OSBM, died Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Sister Irenea Hankewych, OSBM, died Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Holy Redeemer Hospital. She was 87. 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 from 1991 to 1996; and lastly back to St. Nicholas in Chicago, IL from 1996 to 2020. 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. 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.