Obituary of Mary WATOWICH

MARY WATOWICH Peacefully, on Friday, March 20, 2009, at the Holy Family Nursing Home, Mary passed away at the age of 99 years. Mary was born on January 7, 1910 to pre-1900 Ukrainian pioneers who homesteaded the Interlake district between Teulon and Komarno. She was the fourth child of six born to Cassian and Anastasia (nee Dmytryk) Shmigelski. She was predeceased by sisters and brothers, namely Stefania (Fred) Kwasnicki, John Smiley (Elisabeth Balamatoski), Pauline (Michael) Russin, Anne (John) Smotrycki and Peter (killed in action serving in 1943 with the Royal Canadian Air Force). Mary and her devoted husband Joseph (deceased 1984) lovingly raised four children; Stanley, Edward, Joan and Kenneth, of which Stanley (Vera (nee Zarowski)) is the only surviving member. Mary is survived by her grandchildren, Lynn, Peter, David (deceased), Anna-Maria, Stanley J.J., Jean, Mark, Greg and Bernadette, great-grandchildren are Larissa, Nicole, Blake, Johanna, Alexandra, Caroline, Christopher, Marina, Matthew, Amanda, Ryan, Garrett, Zachary, Hannah, Nicholas, Tyler, Bryan, Katy, Jordan and Natalie, great great grandchildren are Lyndon and Kennedy. Nieces and nephews can also be proud of her memory. Mary, a mother and grandmother, left a legacy and example of great love and family devotion. Mary moved to Winnipeg in her teens and henceforth was a model of the pioneer spirit, tenacity, and perseverance exemplified by the love of family, church, home building and financial support in order to survive the great depression. She was a mother first, but also a wage earner and business owner (boarding home, restaurant and food caterer). All whom she touched will remember her generous, loving and cheerful spirit and a heart as big as she was. Her home was open to displaced persons from Europe and youngsters arriving from the farm areas looking for their first job and a place to stay. Her door was always open as was her heart. Her work with the Women's League of the Holy Eucharist Parish and as a volunteer at the Holy Family Nursing Home was unrelenting. Later her energy and vigor extended into yearly parish organized world tours. She was a great walker, a valued parish league bowler, and an enthusiastic singer, dancer and bingo player. Sadly for us was when she left Kildonan Horizons Apartments for the care at the Holy Family Nursing Home due to a progressive, debilitating Alzheimer/dementia disease, her family and friends suffered and lost the full joy and companionship of her presence. Our greatest memory will be that of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all. She served the Lord as an emissary of love, tender devotion, and humility, which will be acknowledged by heavenly and eternal peace. We would like to thank the staff at Holy Family Nursing Home for their dedication, care, patience and tender compassion. Prayers will said on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Father Winn officiating. Interment to follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens.