In Memory of Nathalie Pasternak, President of the Representative Committee of Ukrainians in France (1965-2016)

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) expresses deep sorrow and condolences on the passing of the President of the Representative Committee of Ukrainians in France, Nathalie Pasternak, on 4 January 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer.

The death of Nathalie Pasternak is a painful loss for her husband Jean-Pierre and three children, Ivan, Liliana and Demyan, as well as for the entire Ukrainian diaspora, which has lost a great patriot who was an example of sincere and dedicated service to the interests of the Ukrainian nation.

Upon being elected in 2006 as President of the Representative Committee of Ukrainians in France, Nathalie Pasternak devoted tremendous energy to the organization of local community life and consistently represented Ukrainians in France within the UWC, including at Congresses and Annual General Meetings. Nathalie Pasternak always keenly responded to UWC appeals and, together with the Representative Committee of Ukrainians in France, actively participated in various Ukrainian actions. Specifically, she participated in numerous UWC election observer missions in Ukraine and organized events in France to raise awareness of the Holodomor, genocide of the Ukrainian people.

Born second generation in France, Nathalie Pasternak was proficient in the Ukrainian language, culture and history of our nation and she fostered these national treasures both within her family and in the Ukrainian community. For many years, Nathalie Pasternak was the spokesperson for the Ukrainian community in France. Even during her illness, Nathalie Pasternak continued to work on important projects in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, including the EuroMaidans in Paris, and on various humanitarian, cultural and artistic initiatives. 

For her dedicated service to the Ukrainian nation and Ukraine, Nathalie Pasternak was awarded one of Ukraine’s highest honors, the Order of Queen Anne, and the Hryhoriy Orlyk award.

The UWC leadership and membership shares the deep pain of this irreparable loss and prays for the soul of the late Nathalie Pasternak who lived her life on this earth with dignity and courage.

Memory eternal!