American Civic Association Memorial

Україна, On April 3rd, 2009, we lost Maria "Mima” Koropey Zobniw who died a victim of the tragic Binghamton massacre. On that Friday, Maria was not scheduled to be at the American Civic Association where she worked as an immigration counselor. Friday was Maria's day off. She planned to bake goods for her parish's Ukrainian Easter Bazaar and to prepare for a trip to visit her daughter. That morning after assisting a family with a translation, Maria was called again to come to the ACA. Maria, not thinking twice about helping someone in need, went to the ACA, never to return home., Maria's sense of service was forged by events that forced her parents to flee for their lives with baby Maria: foreign oppressors conquered their homeland Ukraine, executed Ukrainian clergy and intellectuals, persecuted Ukrainian faithful and destroyed their churches, and tried to liquidate the Ukrainian language and culture. In Binghamton, Maria's family found a vibrant community where they were able to freely celebrate their heritage and raise their children. Here Maria learned the importance of preserving Ukrainian traditions and sharing them with others. Maria graduated from Catholic Central (Seton) High School and Harpur College (B.U.) She studied and respected all cultures. Maria especially loved and drew inspiration from her native Ukrainian language, literature, art, music, and history., For Maria, the Ukrainian Scouts' motto "Loyalty to God and Country, and To Help Others” was not just a slogan, but a calling to serve. Maria knew that through education, cooperation, and service we can improve our communities., Our family sorely misses Mima. She was a loving wife, caring and nurturing mother, daughter, sister, and a kind aunt who welcomed and tended to our circle of extended family and friends. Maria put into practice her values of helping others and sharing our Ukrainian culture. Maria passed these values on to her four children, whom she loved deeply. She was an active parishioner of Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian school teacher, Plast Ukrainian Scout counselor, president of the Binghamton branch of the Ukrainian National Women's League, secretary of the Ukrainian Congress Committee local branch, and organizer of many public exhibits and programs about our Ukrainian heritage., Mima inspired us with her abundant generosity, selfless voluntarism, strength of character, gentle spirit and good humor. But most of all, she comforted us as a great listener who always had time to ease our problems and heal our hurts. Through her death we have lost a companion and mentor, and the world has lost a very special person., "Who can find a woman of noble character? , She is worth far more than jewels. , Give her credit for all she does. , She deserves the respect of everyone." , (Proverbs 31: 10, 31), For our family, for the Ukrainian community, and for society as a whole, Maria's remembrance, deeds, and example are everlasting jewels. May she always remain in our hearts and prayers.,