Alexandra Misiong

Alexandra Misiong, cherished mother, friend, and pillar of the Ukrainian community in Metropolitan Detroit, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026, at the Manoogian Senior Assisted Living Center in Livonia, Michigan. She was 97 years old.

Born September 7, 1928, in Poltava, Ukraine, to Ivan and Paraska Zolobecky, Alexandra’s early life was shaped by the upheaval of the Bolshevik Revolution and the Stalinist terror of the 1920s and 1930s. Her parents were arrested and sent to labor camps in Siberia, leaving her separated from them for many years. Alexandra was among the last known survivors of the Holodomor, the man‑made famine of 1932–33 that claimed the lives of an estimated ten million Ukrainians. Her brothers perished during those tragic years.

Against all odds, Alexandra was eventually reunited with her parents. During World War II, the family fled westward, seeking safety and the chance for a new beginning. In the late 1940s, they emigrated to the United States, settling in Detroit, Michigan, where they rebuilt their lives with determination and faith. The Zolobeckys were one of the first families to join the newly formed St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 1950.

That same year, Alexandra married Fylyp Misiong, becoming the first couple to be married in the parish. In 1959, they built their family home on Hoy Street in Livonia, where Alexandra cultivated a life filled with beauty, hospitality, and devotion. She was known for her exquisite flower and vegetable gardens, her warm and gracious hosting, and her deep love for family and community. The couple welcomed two children: George (1952) and Natalie (1953).

In the late 1960s, when her father served as parish council president, Alexandra played a key role in helping identify the property on Evergreen Road in Southfield where the new Cathedral would be built. She worked tirelessly to raise funds for its construction and remained a steadfast supporter of Ukrainian cultural, religious, and civic life throughout her decades in Detroit.

Alexandra sang in the Cathedral Choir for many years, lending her voice to the alto section with dedication and joy. She was an active member of the Ukrainian National Women’s League and the Ukrainian National Association, and together with her husband Fylyp, supported numerous Ukrainian institutions and organizations as generous philanthropists.

Life brought Alexandra profound joys and deep sorrows. Fylyp passed away in 2010, followed by her son George in 2016 and her daughter Natalie in January 2026. Through every hardship, Alexandra remained strong, persistent, cheerful, and optimistic—never one to complain, always one to uplift others. She was known for her physical beauty, her radiant smile, and her gracious spirit.

For the last eight years of her life, Alexandra resided at Manoogian Manor, where she became cherished by staff and residents alike. Her positive energy, kindness, and gratitude made her a beloved presence in the community.

Alexandra is survived by her son‑in‑law Terry Hicks, and by countless friends and admirers within the Ukrainian community who will forever remember her strength, resilience, and generosity.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, July 18 at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 21931 Evergreen Road, Southfield. Viewing & Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. The Funeral Service will follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will take place afterward at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.

Memory Eternal.