Maria Hutnik

Maria Hutnik On February 13, 2018 Maria Hutnik, a much beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, wife of Julian and sister of Imre who predeceased her, passed into eternity in the 96th year of her wonderful life. Maria Hutnik, nee Kardashinetz, was born on December 2, 1921 on Houston Street in New York City. There she lived with her parents, Anne and George, grandmother Julia, and brother Imre for 7 years before moving to Ukraine. She grew up in the city of Uzhorod in a home that was built by her parents. Beautiful and talented, she studied Ukrainian dance, performed in a theater group, and developed her God-given singing ability. Unfortunately, the hardships of war prevented her from reaching her dream of becoming an opera singer. She was also a member of Plast (a Ukrainian scouting organization), and often reminisced about the wonderful times she spent camping in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. Babi, as she was affectionately known to family and friends, was very generous and big hearted. During World War II she with her family risked their lives to hide Jewish neighbors from German persecution. She herself cooked meals and snuck them into the ghetto where her Jewish friends were confined. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Julian Hutnik, and married him at the young age of 20. She worked as a secretary and translator for Ukraines forestry services until 1947 when the couple moved to Slovakia. There they raised three children, and despite difficult post-war circumstances, made a good life for themselves. Babi excelled as a homemaker, kept an impressive garden, and tended to an array of animals on their property. She taught her children the responsibilities of daily household chores and rewarded them for jobs well done. Life in the village was simple but joyful. Eventually the family moved to Bratislava where the quality of life was much improved. Julian had an excellent job as a director of a medical laboratory, older brother Ihor enrolled into medical school, and her other brother Bohdan (Danio) began conservatory. Babi was preoccupied with taking her daughter Ksenia to dance, gymnastics, and piano lessons. Throughout this time, she continued to hone her English language skills. In 1967, Babi and Ksenia visited her parents who had permanently moved to America. As life would have it, after the Soviets crushed the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia Babi and Ksenia did not return to Bratislava, and within the year Julian joined them in New York. Eventually, Danio and Ihor would move here as well. At first, Babi worked in a factory as a seamstress, and later took a job as a draftsperson at an engineering firm where she worked until retirement. Although life was not always easy, especially during wartime, Babi always adapted to adversity and met lifes challenges head on. She was blessed with a mother she adored and a husband who loved her unconditionally. Unfortunately, Babi become a widow all too soon after Julian passed at the age of 67. After his death, she moved to Florida, but eventually returned to New Jersey to be closer to family and enjoy her growing number of grandchildren. She enjoyed good health almost until the end of her life and was a constant presence at every family gathering, helping celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter or just sharing meals on Sunday afternoon after attending church services with Ksenia and her husband. Deeply religious, Babi was always grateful for the good times of her life and above all was thankful to God for his many blessings, especially for the grandchildren she idolized, and they her. She lived long enough to also enjoy her seven great grandchildren. Until the end Babi enjoyed music, especially opera, old movies, attending church services, meeting with friends, and dressing well. Above all else, she loved her family. Babi, you will be greatly missed.