Maria Filipivna is 72 years old. Since marrying Mykhailo, she has lived in a small village in Ivano-Frankivsk.
The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Maria was born in the village of Velykyi Rozhen, Ivano-Frankivsk region. She completed the local school but did not pursue higher education, immediately starting to work. For many years, Maria wove carpets, considering it the work of her life. She admits it was challenging, and now her legs often ache. The main difficulty was transporting all materials to the production herself. Her husband, Mykhailo, worked in the collective farm.
With a smile, Maria talks about married life, the times they’ve spent together, and expresses no regrets. She shares that their journey has been unique, like everyone else’s, but they are still together because there is no other way than to support and help each other.
They don’t have children.
In 2019, the couple contracted COVID-19, and since then, their health has significantly deteriorated. “The heart aches, no strength, and my legs often hurt,” says Mrs. Maria.
Every day, Maria and Mykhailo take care of their household, which includes chickens and a dog.
The couple reveals they used to have a cow, but they had to sell her due to their declining health as they could no longer care for her.