Maria Wysowskyj passed away on April 30, 2026 in her home surrounded by her family. Born in 1930 in the village of Bazar, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine, she was the daughter of Dmytro Bodnar and Warwara Baran Bodnar. Forced to flee the Soviets in 1944, she and her parents were subsequently captured and imprisoned in a forced labor camp in Augsburg Germany. After the end of World War II, Maria spent the next 5 years in the Somme Kaserne refugee camp where she completed her education, suffered the loss of her mother, and met her future husband. She and her father emigrated to the US in 1950 and settled in New Haven, CT. Maria returned briefly to Germany in 1952 to marry Emil Wysowskyj. They remained apart until 1954 when he was finally able to emigrate and join her in the US. 

Maria held various jobs in the New Haven area ending with 25 years at Southern New England Telephone. She was an active member of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church where she sang in the church choir, supported the Ridna Shkola, participated in Project Pyrohy, and was a member of Sestrychi. Maria was also a long-time member of Plast and Plast Pryiat as well as of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America. 

Family was always at the center of Maria’s life. She created a warm and loving home for her father, husband, and daughters which included making her many wonderful Ukrainian dishes for them. Later, she spent extended periods caring for her grandson and passing on to him the cultural traditions of her heritage. Maria took great pride in her garden in which she spent many happy hours - including mowing the lawn well into her 80s. 

Maria was predeceased by her husband, Emil. She is survived by her daughters, Halyna Wysowskyj (Ihor Sydoriak), Anna Wysowskyj, and Christina Wysowskyj (John Lapham) and her grandson Alexander Sydoriak. 

A private funeral and burial are planned. Friends are invited to attend the Sorokovyny Panachyda at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven CT (date and time to be announced). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Maria's name to St Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church George St. New Haven CT.