Mary Perchaluk

Mary was born in her family home on the farm in Cowan Manitoba on Tuesday, September 21, 1926. She was the second of five children of her parents Joseph and Teena Wowchuk. Mary grew up on the family farm and went to the Cowan West School, located approximately ¾ mile from home. Mary walked to school and was able to go home for lunches in good weather. On colder days she took sandwiches, which were wrapped in paper as there was no saran wrap in those days. On very cold days, her father would give her and her brothers a ride to school on a stone boat, which was a sled pulled by two horses. As the eldest daughter Mary helped her mother with the house hold chores and helped to care for her younger brothers and sister. She learned to knit and cook, including the many Ukrainian traditional dishes, which she later passed onto her daughters and granddaughters. After Mary completed her schooling in Cowan Mary ventured away from home going to work in Fort William/Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay. It was during the Second World War and the nation was calling for able bodied persons to help in the national effort to defend and save our country. Mary responded and went to work in an assembly plant to build airplanes. Mary returned home to Cowan on March 10, 1945 to attend her older brother’s (Peter) wedding. There she met Michael Perchaluk who was a good friend of Peter. The two fell in love and on October 20, 1945 they were married in Cowan. They became soul mates for 67 years. Mary was a homemaker raising a family of five children. She loved to cook, garden, do word search puzzles, and knit. When we were children growing up, she knitted northern sweaters for all of us. The sweaters were those beautiful ones that you get patterns and material from Mary Maxim. Mary loved her garden. In addition to planting peas, potatoes and other garden vegetables she had many flowers and shrubs. If you ever walked into Mary and Mikes back yard in the summer time you would be amazed at all of the beautiful flowers that they grew. The family always referred to the back yard as the Buchart Gardens. Mary loved the cabin at Rocky Lake. Mary and Mike would pack up groceries and go to the lake for relaxation and a little fishing that she also enjoyed. She would put on her favourite “Victor” lifejacket and go out in the boat or simply relax on the dock. In the cabin she cooked mainly on a wood stove, which reminded her of her childhood on the farm. Mary enjoyed when the family would join them. The upstairs of the cabin resembled the barracks, beds lined up the full length of the cabin. Mary was a member of the CWL (Catholic Women’s League) for over 40 years. She taught religious classes in the schools for many years. She belonged to the prayer group, praying for the sick of the parish. Even as she became increasing ill Mary continued to pray for the sick of the parish. Mary was an excellent cook, especially her holiday feasts. As per Ukrainian traditions there was always lots of holopchi (cabbage rolls) and perohy (perogies). Her little kitchen and dining room were filled to capacity. Mary (Baba) showed her daughters and granddaughters how to make holopchi and perohy the way her mother showed her so that the traditions could be passed along to our children. Mary was a special person. Her gentle way, kind smile and love of family will be missed but always remembered. Mary passed away peacefully with family by her side, Monday, April 1, 2013, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, at the age of 86 years. Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, Michael Perchaluk of The Pas; children Rosemary and Terry Hendrickson of The Pas, James and Anita Perchaluk of Dauphin, Barbara and David Mancini, William and Olga Perchaluk, Cynthia Zetterstrom of The Pas; Mary is also survived by grandchildren John Hendrickson of The Pas; Camellia Hendrickson of The Pas; Tania and David Swanton and great grandchildren Kyler and Layne of Dauphin; Krista and Shane Silva and great grandchildren Maverick and Wyatt of Oshawa; Sheri Mancini of Kamloops; Steven and Stacey Mancini and great grandchild Avery of Thompson; Christopher and Heather Perchaluk and great grandchildren Brodie, Emily and Colin of The Pas; Daniel and Jackie Perchaluk and great grandchildren Joshua, Kylar and Vanesa of Edmonton; Robert and Jamie Perchaluk of The Pas; Jill and Cory Normore and great grandchildren Cale and Cadence of Edmonton; Dmytro “Dima” Tkachenko of The Pas; Brett Zetterstrom of The Pas; brothers Tony Wowchuk of Swan River, Steve and Stella Wowchuk of Thompson; sister Lillian Heuser of Tisdale, SK. Mary was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Teena Wowchuk and brother Peter Wowchuk. A time of prayers and visitation was held Friday, April 5, 2013, 7:00 pm at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, Manitoba. Mass of Christian burial was held Saturday, April 6, 2013, 11:00 am, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, Manitoba with Rev. Paul Bringleson, Rev. Jack Herklotz, Rev. Bill Stang presiding. Music ministry was provided by Rochelle Rydberg. Memories of the heart was delivered by James Perchaluk. Scripture readings were proclaimed by Sheri Mancini and Jill Normore. Interment followed at Lakeside Cemetery, The Pas, Manitoba. Pallbearers were grandsons John Hendrickson, Christopher Perchaluk, Steven Mancini, Daniel Perchaluk, Robert Perchaluk, Dymtro “Dima” Tkachenko, Brett Zetterstrom. If friends so desire, donations to The Pas Health Complex Foundation, Inc., Memorial Fund, Palliative Care Division, Box 541, The Pas, Manitoba, R9A 1K4, would be appreciated by Mary’s family.