Mary Ann Chlebak (nee KORNEL) It is with great sadness that we are sharing news that our Mother and Grandmother, Mary Chlebak passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the age of 93 at Belvedere Care Centre in Coquitlam BC. She was predeceased by her wonderful parents Marie(nee Schnerch) and John Kornel, her loving husband of 64 years, Thomas (Tom), dear siblings and their spouses, Helen(John), Anna(Otto), Bill(Wilma), brother-in-law Ed, and niece Lucie. She will be forever remembered and greatly missed by her only child, daughter, Doreen and husband Tim, as well as her treasured grandchildren Krystin(Daniel and Jayden) and Mitchell, along with her dear sister Kathy and many loved nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Mary was born on September 29, 1927 in Munchenthal, Poland, the Kornel family were of German descent and owned and ran a farm in Poland. Mary learned to love gardening and nature and also gained her organizational skills here. Mary and her siblings grew up in this community with happy childhood memories until WWII, when life as she knew it drastically changed. Mary’s youth and education were interrupted, along with the family’s livelihood which changed to uncertainty and at times chaos. She grew up noticing there were no prospects for a promising future and some of her family were making decisions to immigrate to Canada. Mary made this decision, along with younger brother Bill hoping for a brighter tomorrow with more opportunity for employment. They legally immigrated to Canada in 1949, Mary was unable to speak English(but did speak German and Polish), with only $7.00 in her purse, her suitcase and an immigration fee debt of over $500 to be paid back to their sponsor family. She landed employment with family who owned a restaurant in Wpg and she cared for their children and served in their restaurant all the while repaying the debt owing to come to Canada, showing her relentless work ethic in providing for herself and her family. Mary eventually found better suited living arrangements with other family and employment in the food service industry at another restaurant and then the Waffle Shop on Main Street. Slowly the rest of Mary’s family immigrated to Winnipeg from Poland and her parents purchased a home where they were able to all live together again on Redwood Ave. The family joined St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church on College Avenue. In the summer of 1952 Mary met and fell in love with Tom and they were married on November 29, 1952. In 1961 they had a daughter named Doreen. Mary chose to stay home with Doreen and decided to be self-employed in the sewing industry for S&S Sportswear part time. At the time Tom was employed with this company full time as a tailor. The sewing industry in Canada changed in the 1970’s slowly moving out of North America, so Tom decided to leave his tailor/sewing career, he became employed with CPR as a machinist. Mary decided to seek work outside the home at this time and found employment as a dietary aide at Fred Douglas Lodge, where she thoroughly enjoyed working for 18 years until retirement. She had many friends at work and during her time at the lodge she helped to bring in the union to the food services department. Mom took great pride in her life and enjoyed their family dream home on McAdam Ave. She loved gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, attending church and caring for her family, her Mother and Father lived in the house next door as well. Mary loved the arts of dance, fashion, music and movies. She loved spending time with Tom and family at their beautiful cottage in Whispering Pines, Grand Beach. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church for 48 years and the Catholic Women’s League in Wpg. Man. In 1996 Tom and Mary left Winnipeg to follow their daughter Doreen and husband Tim, along with grandchildren to Coquitlam, British Columbia. They purchased a beautiful condominium at Princess Gate and really took great pleasure in condo living. Mom and Dad described it as “our best life” when living in the condo. Tim and Doreen are ever so grateful for her parents leaving Winnipeg to be with them to watch and help the grandchildren grow up and all stay together as a family. When arriving in B.C. Mom and Dad became members of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Port Moody, BC. Dad became ill with spinal stenosis and Mom dedicated her time caring for him at their condo and then visiting and caring for him at the senior’s care home for almost 7 years. Mary herself had several health conditions and by the time Tom passed she had lost a bit of her zest for life. She was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s in June 2019. At this time, she entered Belvedere Care Centre. We would like to thank the staff for their kindness, patience and care of Mary during this time. Mary lived and made a determined happy life and was a beautiful, intelligent, logical, kind, generous, caring, hardworking, clean, lady, who loved her family, God and nature. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten. “We love you to the moon and back” Mom and Grandma and your strong spirit will live on in us. May you rest in peace. A funeral and burial will take place on Tuesday, December 8th at St. Joseph’s Parish, but due to COVID there will be strict guidelines and therefore only immediate family will be in attendance. In lieu of flower donations, a donation can be given to Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation or The Covenant House or a charity of your choice.