Mary passed away peacefully with her family by her side, after a short battle with cancer, Friday, January 28, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, at the age of 78 years. Mary was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Wednesday, July 27, 1932. At the age of 5 she moved with her mother to The Pas, Manitoba where Mary’s mother remarried. The family then moved to Victoria, B.C. where she grew up and received her education from 1941-1946. In 1946 Mary moved back to The Pas with her parents, where they bought a farm on Rall’s Island. Mary then returned to Victoria in 1949 where she worked and met her husband Laurie. Laurie was stationed in the Special Forces in Victoria and after a brief courtship they married on March 7, 1953. In 1963 Mary received her education as a nurse’s aid and started working at St. Anthony’s General Hospital. Mary worked in many different departments in 1964 she found her “spot”; it was the O.R. and remained there until retirement in 1992. Mary enjoyed her work, for she loved to joke and make co-workers and patients smile. Her compassion and demeanor was only enhanced when she would see the patients recover. Mary loved her children and her grandchildren and always seemed to have time for each and every one of them. She loved reading her romance novels and watching her DVD’s. Mary had so many DVD’s that she started lending them out to neighbors and friends. Mary is survived by her husband of 57 years, Laurie; sons Wayne of The Pas, MB, Raymond (Terry) of Selkirk, MB, Glen (Vanessa) of Edmonton, AB; daughters Sharon of Selkirk, MB, Colleen (Ross) of Athabasca, AB; brother Peter (Angie) of Kamsack, SK, Donald (Sandra) of The Pas, MB; sister-in-law Ann; sisters Vivian of Calgary, AB, Sandra (William) of Grand Prairie, AB; grandchildren Audrey, Ryan, Tara, Bobby, David, Colton, Jessie, Erica, Dominic, Paige, Kaycee, Steven, Zoe; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her infant son Gregory; parents Annie and Harry Melnyk; uncles Steven, Andy; brother Paul. Rest in peace Mary, Mom and Grandma, until we meet again. In keeping with family wishes, cremation took place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Mary’s life was held Thursday, February 3, 2011, 11:00 am, at Christ Church Anglican, The Pas, Manitoba with Rev. Rebecca Graham and Rev. Grahme Spear presiding. Music ministry was provided by Rochelle Rydberg and the Anglican Church Choir. Mary’s ashes were interred with her infant son at Lakeside Cemetery, The Pas, Manitoba. Following the interment, a reception was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #19, The Pas. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations to the Christ Church Anglican Memorial Fund, Box 125, The Pas, Manitoba, R9A 1K3, would be appreciated by Mary’s family.