'Bombs everywhere': Taunton woman messages with Ukrainian cousin during harrowing moments

TAUNTON — Heritage is very important to Pegi Conte.

“It’s always important to keep that connection,” the Taunton resident said.

One of three first-generation daughters, her parents immigrated to the United States from Ukraine separately after World War II in 1949.

“My parents met at a picnic in Fall River,” Conte said.

Conte, whose maiden name is Dran, has remained in contact with relatives in Ukraine on her father’s side as much as possible over the decades. Telephone and letters were eventually replaced by Skype and currently Facebook video chat.

Conte can’t speak Ukrainian but has always been able to get updates and send gestures of love through her cousin, Oksana Danilyuk, who can speak English.

Said Conte about Danilyuk: “She’s amazing. She’s a kind, gentle person.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Conte and Danilyuk have communicated with each other as much as possible.

“The war is breaking our hearts,” Conte said.

Though both of them attempt to remain in good spirits, the news doesn’t always make that possible.

Conte said in one of her most recent conversations had Danilyuk, who lives in the city of Kalush in western Ukraine, Danilyuk said she would be spending most of the day attending funerals of people in town.

With humanitarian efforts to bring supplies and other aid to Ukraine increasing, Conte is worried it might not reach her cousin’s region and city, according to conversations with Danilyuk, it mostly goes to the more densely populated parts of the country.

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“She said to me, ‘We’re too afraid to go anywhere,’” Conte said.

Conte shared a story with the Taunton City Council on March 15 where earlier that day, through Facebook Messenger, Danilyuk sent a response that bombs were going off in her city.

Conte told the council, “She said please don’t worry, God is above us.”

Conte, her sister Lily Souza, along with several other supporters, came before the council on March 15 to offer handmade yellow and blue ribbon pins with the colors of the Ukrainian flag and to ask for a declaration of public support and solidarity from the city.

“People have lost their homes, they’ve lost everything escaping to other parts of the world. It’s an unjust war. We’re only asking for moral and humanitarian support, and for prayers this invasion will end,” said the Rev. Roman Golemba, a retired priest from St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Fall River, right before the City Council meeting.

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Councilor John McCaul, in support of the request, spoke with Mayor Shaunna O’Connell beforehand. While at the podium with Conte, McCaul, wearing a blue shirt and yellow tie, said the cause “touched my heart” and the city should come together in “unwavering support for the fight for freedom.”

The council voted unanimously in support of the declaration, with O’ Connell stating, “We certainly stand with the people of Ukraine for freedom and democracy.”

In honor of the declaration, colors of the Ukrainian flag, sky blue and yellow, are being displayed with flood lights at city hall at night.

In addition, this past weekend, city officials and volunteers, including Conte, wrapped ribbons, along with large sunflowers, around 100 telephone poles in the downtown area to signify the city’s support for Ukrainian freedom.

Conte has never visited Ukraine. Likewise, Danilyuk has never visited the United States.

“My father tried to get her family here for years," Conte said.

After the war, one of them is going to have to overcome their fear of flying so they can finally be together, she said.

“The whole family is afraid to fly,” Conte said.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton Ukraine: Pegi Conte in touch with relatives during Russian war