Basia Irena Price
June 29, 1956 to April 22, 2025
Obituary
To view the service for Basia Irena Price on Tuesday, April 29 at 11 a.m. please click the following link: https://tom0349.wixsite.com/streamingservices/carnells
Basia Irena Price
(nee Nitychoruk)
June 29, 1956 – April 22, 2025
_________________________________________________________________________________
We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our beloved Basia Irena Price (Nitychoruk), who after a two year battle with cancer passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.
Basia was born in Winnipeg into a large Polish family to Irene (nee Kananowicz) and Josef Nitychoruk. Her childhood instilled in her inner strength, thrift, and caring for others. She was a joyful child and her mother taught her to sew at a young age. This began a lifelong exploration of style and creative expression.
Basia made her way in the world through her talent and passion for the performing arts. She created costumes for some of Canada’s most iconic choreographers and artistic directors through the 70s and 80s. Basia got her start as a Costumier for Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers leading her to become a student of the founding class of Costume Studies at Dalhousie University. This flourished into a career touring with the Alberta Ballet and teaching Graduate studies in Costume Design at the University of Alberta.
Enthusiasm for life and all its adventures was expressed in Basia’s love of the outdoors. She sewed her own tents, sleeping bags, and down booties and took the bus to Banff to go solo backpacking in the Rockies. Basia’s intrepid spirit led her to the Nova Scotia Rock Climbing School where she met the love of her life, Dan Price. They were married in August of 1984 and shared many outdoor experiences in the Yukon, Alberta and Eastern Canada. But her greatest adventure was having children.
Basia truly came into her own with the arrival of her three children, Hilary, Colin, and Avery. She poured herself into giving them a wonderful upbringing full of love. From early family years in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, to a sabbatical in Bergen, Norway, followed by a move to Newfoundland she was the glue that held our happy home together. She made family camping trips and backyard play a memorable adventure and sewed epic Halloween costumes. She shared love, creativity and adventure with her grandchildren, Anna, Frederick, Luke and Reid as the world’s best “Babcia”.
Basia brought focus, knowledge and curiosity into all of her hobbies (and there were many!). A true collector at heart, she found joy in gardening, cooking, birding, collecting shells, travelling with Dan and hunting for antiques. The garden Basia created at her country home, Solheia, is a place of wonder. Birding a “Big Year” in 2024, Basia observed 249 species of bird, a friendly competition with her daughter that she was happy to win.
After a diagnosis of cancer Basia declared that “I’ve never been a victim to anyone or anything” and went on living her life and travelling while focusing on beating her illness.
She has left the world a brighter and more colourful place as carried on through her children, grandchildren, extended family, friends and artistic creations. May each of us take a moment to reflect on her example and be inspired by her wonderful life.
Left with loving memories of Basia are her husband of forty-one years Daniel, children Hilary (Adrian), Colin (Lacey), and Avery (Marc), and grandchildren Anna, Frederick, Luke, and Reid. She also leaves behind her mother Irena Nitychoruk, sisters Teresa (Stuart) and Jasia (Shawn), brothers Bob (Karen), Ted (Joanne), Mark (Jill) and Andy. Additionally left to mourn are many treasured nieces and nephews, a large extended family, lifelong friends and her beautiful garden that is beginning too bloom.
A service honouring Basia’s life and memory will be held at Gower Street United Church in St. John’s, NL, at 11am on Tuesday, April 29th, with a reception to follow. A live-stream of the service will be available. The link is listed at the top of this page.
In lieu of flowers, please plant something in your garden in Basia’s memory or make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Schedule
funeral
11:00am, Tuesday April 29th
Gower Street United
Elegy for Basia
There’s a fair pond in Bridgewater
In a park that centers the town
Where Basia took us to show its beauty
We wandered and wandered on a sunny day
Now when we pray for Basia
We see that fair pond and park
And the water now marred with cloud
But just west there’s a sliver of sun
That’s Basia showing us the beauty
from Ron and Liliana Romanowski (Winnipeg friends)
Dan and Family,
My most heartfelt condolences to you all. I have so many great memories of time spent with Basia: quilt shows, road trips, wine drinking and lots of laughs. She was in my thoughts last weekend as I was making a bed at the cottage that has the beautiful quilt she gifted me when I moved to Alberta.
I will hold her memory in my heart.
Andrea Deutsch
Dear Danny, Hilary, Colin and Avery:
Please accept our most heart felt condolences, Basia’s infectious smile and unbounded love has made the world a better and kinder place. Beth and I remember more than one hair-raising adventure with Basia, actually the hair-raising part is attributable to Danny, but Basia was always there to pick up the pieces. She is the embodiment of compassion.
Thousands of years ago, Basia said to me, “Every time I walk into a church I see a theatre.” That inspired me to design a course call “Theatre and Theology.” I have told the origin story of that course to hundreds of people over the years, and I always, always give full credit to Basia.
Her legacy is one of imagination and possibility,
With Much Love,
Jody and Beth
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time on the loss of a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. May you seek comfort in your memories of her.
Dan, Hilary, Colin, Avery & grandkids:
Saying the final goodbyes to such a cherished love one as Basia must feel surreal and yet, that harsh reality is now part of your life experience. And so too, are the innumerable loving memories that life with Basia has provided to all of you.
For Donalda & I, our memories are also numerous and rich – camping trips, the group ‘expedition’ to North Conway, ugly shirt partIes and that terrific summer that we met up with you and Basia, Dan, in Quebec with the boys frolicking on those big, fun walls in La Malbaie while the girls explored the sites and attractions of the local area. All these wonderful memories now tinged with a note of sadness – still, wonderful memories, nonetheless, we’re lucky to have them.
Be in touch soon. Love, Kevin & Donalda.
Dear Danny, Hilary, Colin and Avery – and all the beautiful grandchildren,
I have just finished watching Basia’s funeral. She would have loved the service. I felt her presence very strongly – from the beautiful quilts displayed in the room to the words shared about her life. So wonderful to see and hear from Colin, Hilary and Avery, as well as her sister from Winnipeg. Basia would have loved to see her grandchildren running around during the service.
The proverb chosen to be read at the service – Woman of Valour- is read in Hebrew every Friday night in a traditional Jewish home – eshet chayl. Allen reads it to me every week. as we begin our Shabbat service. I felt a very strong bond with Basia hearing it read in her service today. It is the highest praise, and one which she well merits.
We say in Hebrew – May her memory be a blessing.
May you all know what a wonderful gift of friendship Basia gave to me over the years – from the time when we first met as co-workers at Contemporary Dancers.
Allen and I send our love.
Dear Ones,
My heart goes out to you. I love you all!
To Hilary, Colin, Avery and Dan, all my love and condolences. Basia was a wonderful person and I’ve been thinking all week about when she took us on a tour of her beautiful rock garden at the cabin and also showed us her amazing quilts.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Dan, Hilary, Colin and Avery. Sending my Sincere Condolences. Basia was a strong, beautiful, artistic, crazy resourceful friend with a twinkle of mischief in her eye. I also have one of her beautiful quilts which I cherish. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.
Condolences Dan
Dear Colin, Lacey, and Family our sincere condolences on hearing of the passing of your dear Mom and Grandma. May all your memories comfort you and bring you strength at this difficult time.
God bless you all.
Aunt Sue, Uncle Jim and Family.
Dan and Family ~ it’s been a while since our young families camped together with the Aliphats, but the wonderful memories will last forever. Take care and take time.
Dear Dan, Hilary, and family,
I’m very sorry to hear about Basia’s passing. Sending condolences to the whole family.
Our deepest condolences Dan to you and your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you always.🙏🏻. Phyllis and Paul
We met Basia (and Danny) in 1980 when Tony did the NS Rock Climbing course. When Tony said he wanted to do something different…well that summer changed our lives, mostly because of the people Tony met during that course. And so we met this amazing woman. A rare woman who thought rock climbing was a fun thing to try! The next year Ute decided to do the rocking climbing course as well, (although it had never crossed her mind before…) and the adventures just kept coming.
We remember a trip to North Conway, in the early 1980s, Basia and Danny in the back seat of our VW Rabbit. We were packed so full in that little car, Basia had to hold the wok on her lap during the whole car trip from Nova Scotia, which she did with her usual joie de vivre…it just might come in handy you know!
Over the coming years we learned that she had sewn her own tent…and made her own down booties. And years later she gifted us a beautiful quilt. When Basia learned that we keep Ute’s mother’s tradition of Christmas Advent, she gifted us a beautiful wreath, (homemade of course!) which we continue to enjoy all these years later. It is the first Christmas item to be unpacked on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and every Veling Christmas is just a little more special for it.
Not many places in the world are further apart than Newfoundland and Victoria Australia. Please feel the love we are sending today and always.
Basia, you will always be in our hearts.
All my heartfelt love and condolences to Avery, Dan and the whole family.
I’m blessed to have had a chance to meet Basia, along with the rest of your family Avery, a couple years ago.
So welcoming and joyous, all of them, but especially Bascia. I will always have fond memories of that trip to St Johns.
Avery, I’m so glad you were able to make it back in time to share some last moments with your mum. I hope the coming days are spent close with your family.
Lots of love, Kurt
Dear Hilary, and your dear families
I was very sorry to read of your mom’s passing. Shd certainly had a busy and adventurous life! She loved you all dearly. May her legacy live in you always. God bless!
Korona Brophy
Music GHS
To Colin, Hilary, Avery, and Dr. Price,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s/wife’s passing. I just wanted to offer my sincere condolences to you and your family. I’m thinking of you all.
Sincerely,
Andrew
To Dan and Basia’s beloved family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Basia’s passing, and I want to extend my sincerest condolences to you all during this difficult time.
Though I only had the privilege of spending a few days with Basia during her and Dan’s visit from Canada in 2024, those moments left a lasting impression on me. Basia had a beautiful way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for, like you were instantly part of the family. Her warm presence, her sharp sense of humor, and the laughter she brought to every room are things I will always remember.
She was a truly special and wonderful lady—gentle, joyful, and full of kindness. Even in a short time, she touched my heart, and I feel truly grateful to have met her. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope you find comfort in the wonderful memories you shared with her.
With heartfelt sympathy,
William Ilicic
Thank you Basia
Love Paul
In heaven there is no pain, and the days are filled with warmth. Missing you already, and feeling your loss immensely, as do all the people who love you. May the pain felt by Dan, the kids, and the grand kids be tempered by the love and support of all of those around you. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Basia
The Winnipeg Nitychoruks
I feel part of me is gone. I send you, her beloved family, all kinds of love & condolences.
Dan,
My sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your beloved Basia. Her life was a a life well lived.
Margaret
Our deepest condolences to Colin and his family. RIP Basia.
For many years, the friendship and the incredible moments our families had together, she was alwyas with her kind heart helping us to many events, we formed a good bond, she was there either with her great sense of humor and compasion, she was the source of many great moment and she will be missed greatly, now she is safe at home and thank you for those moments,
Basia was a constant of my child hood. I remember throughout all the camping trips and snow days Basia was there with compassion and understanding. She was such a big part of so many peoples lives, leading by example and teaching others to be strong. She will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
From the first time you meet her, she left a lasting impression. Her warmth and caring nature shone through with that beautiful smile and a ready laugh. She made a home filled with love and wonderful memories.
Hold your memories close and she will always be with you. God bless
It takes a special person to send heartfelt cards at every special holiday to two pre-teen boys, and manage to elicit pure joy and excitement from them when they see their name on the card and “NFLD.” They always knew who was thinking about them and going off of their way to send them something so wonderful and special.
I will hold those cards, and my beautiful quilt, close to my heart forever.
I am thinking of all of you and I hope that moments of peace find you all when you need them most.
To members of the Price family . So sorry to hear of the passing of such a dear member of your family. Your written words paints a picture of a life well lived. may all the wonderful memories you made with her help you cope with your loss. Our sincere condolences to all of you and may God Bless all of you and keep you in his care. May she Rest In Peace.
Len and Kay Edwards
My heart goes out to you Danny, your Children & Grandchildren during this difficult time. She was a gifted, creative, & knowledgeable lady. May the love & support of your family & friends bring you comfort during these trying times. God Bless Her Soul. May She Rest in peace. Love Aunty Antonia Kananowicz
To dear Dan, Colin, Lacey, Luke, Reid and the entire Price family. My heart is breaking for you guys. Life is so unfair. I only met her a couple of times, but she made me feel like I’ve known her my whole life. She was a beautiful lady full of love and pride for her family. My deepest sympathies to you at this very sad time. God bless.
Dan,
My heart goes out to you and the Price family. My deepest condolences.
So sorry for your loss
I am very sorry for your loss Price family and Nitychoruk family. Basia was indeed a very loving person and will be missed.
To the whole Price family, my wife and I send our deepest condolences. Colin, your mother was an interesting lady, immediately. We look forward to hearing more about her life in the future. Please accept our thoughts and prayers. 😞🙏Love Uncle Kenny and Aunt Mary.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time ❤️❤️. Love uncle Peter and Aunt Cindy!!!❤️❤️❤️
Dear Dan and family,
Your written words describe Basia so well. She had so many defining qualities, all cemented in expressing her love and commitment to her family. Her strength endures.
It has been said that all you really leave behind is the love you give. You have that in abundance.
May her spirit bring you comfort.
God bless.
Dan and family, our deepest condolences on your loss. We loved visiting with you guys, our neighbours, in Whitbourne and you’re all in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss her dearly.
Love Dave and Kim
Basia lived a life of love and giving. She raised strong and kind children who contribute to the world their many gifts each day. She was a nurturer who made stuff happen.
I am privileged to be friends with both Colin and through my sister, Avery. My condolences to all of the family at this time.
I hope the many amazing memories are able to rise through the pain in the weeks, months and years to come.
Much love
Dan and Family: We extend our condolences to you all on the loss of your beloved Basia. We first met Basia over 20 years ago now and she was so full of fun and warmth. Your loss is immense but so was her life as is so wonderfully described in her obituary. She left a fine legacy. Bless you all.
Dear Dan. Our deepest condolences on the passing of Basia. What a wonderful woman. I will always cherish the time we spent together getting through dental school with her as stabilizing influence on all of us. Her love shone throughout her life to everyone with her. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.