Yaroslava Butkovska

Beloved wife of 63 years to Zinoviy Butkovsky. Proud and loving mother of Tatiana (Pat) Migliaccio and Liliia (Mykola) Mykolyk. Cherished grandmother of Iuliia (Manuel) Mykolyk. Further survived by many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by her brother, Eugene Susidyk.

Slava was born in the small town of Izdebki, Poland in 1940. She later attended a music college in Ternopil, Ukraine, where she met her future husband, Zinoviy. There, she studied voice, conducting, and piano before beginning her career as a music teacher.

Together with her husband, Slava emigrated to the United States in 2001. They first made their home in Rockford, Illinois, before moving to Milwaukee in 2005.

In Milwaukee, Slava remained active in the Ukrainian community, participating in many musical concerts with the Freilach Folk Theater Ensemble and singing in her church choir.

In 2019, Slava and her husband were featured in the Milwaukee-made film Give Me Liberty.

Slava was a loving and compassionate person with an open heart for anyone in need. She found great joy in flowers and gardening and will be fondly remembered by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her kindness, generosity, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Slava's love of music lives on through her daughters and granddaughter, all of whom became accomplished violinists.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1231 W. Scott St., Milwaukee, WI, on Thursday, July 9, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m., with the Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 a.m. A procession and interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7301 W. Nash St., Milwaukee, WI.