Our intrepid traveler embarked on her last and most important journey Saturday, June 16, 2012 with family at her side to wish her peace and God speed. Mary was born Monday, November 17, 1919 in Shoal Lake, Manitoba, the second of five children born to Mytro and Dora Kuzyk. She is predeceased by her husband Nick; sisters Nellie Baccus, Lena Baccus, and Sally (Hallet) Holden; brother Mickey Kuzyk. Mary is also survived by her four children, Robert (Elaine Arsenault), Betty Ann Watts (Raymond), Kathy Pfau (David), and Susan; brother Wally Sicinski; as well as 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Mary endured personal hardship at various times in her life but she did not follow a path of bitterness and tears. She chose instead to make the best of her lot and in so doing shared happiness, wisdom, her faith, and a love of life with those around her. As a child Mary mourned the loss of her father and with her siblings came to know the struggles of growing up during the depression years without a father. It was not an easy life but she gained strength of character, resilience, creativity, and an adventurous spirit in the process. Mary spent her early years in Shoal Lake before venturing to Winnipeg to work with a family that owned a grocery store in St Boniface. While in Winnipeg she became ill and lost her ability to walk. Following surgery, radiation treatments and a lengthy recovery she regained the use of her legs and returned to school graduating from business college and securing employment as a comptometer operator with Eaton’s mail order department. It was not her kind of employment so she decided to join her younger sister Sally and try her hand at waitressing. When she spilled soup on her first customer she decided that was not going to be her career path either. She found her niche in food service working as a pastry chef/cook for Anne and Fred Yarema at the Holland Hotel and later in Roblin. It happened that Anne had a dashing, fun loving older brother named Nick Kolebaba who swept Mary off her feet. They were married in 1947 and following a brief adventure as café owners in Emerson, Mary and Nick moved back to Roblin where Robert and Betty Ann were born. This was followed by a brief tenure in Cartwright and then a move to Winnipeg where they lived until 1957 and where Katherine was born. The family arrived in The Pas in October of 1957. Susan was born in December of that year and the family grew roots. Mary became actively involved with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost, as it was known. All four children celebrated their first communion here. As the children grew Mary became more active in the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and with the other ladies catered an unknown number of dinners and special events contributing to the construction of the new church building and the prosperity of the parish. In The Pas Mary worked as a cook at the Gateway Hotel, as a homemaker/house mother at the original Charlebois Residence, and as a home economics instructor at the Guy Hill school before becoming one of the early staff members at the St. Paul’s residence where she remained until the opening of Northern Manitoba Vocational Center (KCC/UCN) when she joined the food services staff. Here, she and her peers had the honour of preparing food for two Royal visits. On one of the visits her silver tea service was used to pour tea for HRH Queen Elizabeth. Following a layoff at KCC and Nick’s passing in 1978, Mary joined the provincial homecare team on condition that she have the opportunity to travel whenever she felt the urge. Mary loved to travel. She and Nick along with the children at various times enjoyed camping trips from coast to coast. Mary and Nick also ventured to Alaska. As Nick’s health began to fail Mary decided to learn to drive and at age 57 received her license. Following Nick’s passing Mary enjoyed several bus tours, camping trips with Robert, Elaine and family, travels with Betty Ann and her children, solo trips to places like Florida, and Toronto, an excursion to Churchill and frequent trips to visit family from Yorkton to Kelowna. Mary also enjoyed an opportunity to visit London and the Yorkshire area of England. Travel was in her blood. Mary taught by example. She loved travel and the outdoors and shared this love with her children. She loved to read and encouraged her children to become avid readers. She loved music and ensured that her children were exposed to music of all genres. Mary was a lifelong learner gaining new knowledge and skills throughout her life. She encouraged her children to learn new things and always found the means to enable their participation in lessons along with support for involvement in Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. She was a willing volunteer in support of these endeavors. She loved all forms of live entertainment and whenever possible provided these experiences for the children exposing them to everything from Gene Autry in concert, to puppet theatre, classical and folk music concerts and special events such as the Calgary Stampede. Throughout her life Mary’s anchors were her faith in God, love of her family, and loyalty to friends. Mary was a quiet leader. Bon Voyage. In keeping with Mary’s wishes, cremation took place and a service of remembrance to celebrate her life was held Saturday, August 11, 2012, 11:00 am, at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost, The Pas, Manitoba with Father Djura Maljik presiding. Scripture readings were proclaimed by Susan Kolebaba and the eulogy was delivered by Katherine Pfau. Interment followed at Lakeside Cemetery, The Pas, Manitoba In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 9Z9, would be appreciated by Mary’s family.