Mary Potolicki

On Wednesday September 7, 2016, Mary Potolicki passed away peacefully with family by her side at St. Paul’s Personal Care Home, The Pas, Manitoba at the age of 88 years. Mary was born Thursday, January 19, 1928 in Cross Lake, Manitoba, the youngest of two children. She overcame many hardships at a young age starting with the passing of her mother. Her father continued to raise her and was always very protective. He treated her like glass—scared that she would easily break. While still a young girl she contracted Tuberculosis. In order for her to get better she needed to be sent to the sanatorium in Winnipeg for a very long period of time. Once she was well again and after her father’s passing her Auntie continued to raise her. It was through overcoming these hardships that she formed her foundation of strength. Mary gave birth to her first born child, Margaret, in 1954. She later met and then married Victor Potolicki. Together they settled down to raise a family along the CN railway line between Thicket Portage and mile 157. His work took them briefly to Channing, Manitoba and then in the mid-sixties they made The Pas their home. Together they were blessed with four children—Cyril, Caroline, Eleanor and Victoria. Before and after they separated Mary worked hard to raise and provide for her family. She was employed in a variety of jobs which included cleaning at Scott Bateman and MBCI and then as a chambermaid at the Wescana Inn. Mary’s health started to decline so she was unable to continue working but she raised her children the best she could with the little she had. She was a very determined and resilient woman. Mary enjoyed bringing the family together by inviting everyone over to come and eat. While she was still able to cook she loved feeding them turkey, her stuffing and homemade perogies. If it wasn’t a home cooked meal she would treat them to chicken or pizza. This is what made her happy. Plenty of gatherings and laughter were held around her large oak table. The more people and kids she had over at the house the better. She was at her happiest just sitting watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren laughing and having fun. She loved joking around and was young at heart always reminding us that she was still not old. Mary also loved animals, knitting, beading, visiting at the Otineka Mall and watching some of her favorite TV programs such as Golf, Young and the Restless, and old classic comedies, but her all time favorite was Duck Dynasty! She loved visiting with her relatives from Cross Lake always welcoming anyone who needed a place to stay and some food in their stomach. She didn’t have a whole lot, but she always insisted on giving what she did have. Mary became a born again Christian and was a very spiritual woman. You would often find her reading her bible, praying or listening to Gospel Hymns on the radio or TV. In her later years she taught herself how to read and then how to write in Cree using the Cree Bible as her reference. During her times of good health she loved traveling and attending Gospel Jamborees and Fellowship Meetings. She embraced Christianity and had a strong love and faith in God. Mary will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched in one way or another. She lived a simple life and was a strong, kind, gentle, forgiving, caring and generous woman. Most of all she was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who will be deeply and sadly missed by all. We love you Mom! Mary is survived by her children Cyril (Nicole McKenzie) Potolicki, Caroline Potolicki, Eleanor (Joey Cook) Potolicki and Victoria (Cecil) Passage; grandchildren Bruce (Judy) Whitehead, Charles (Amber) Whitehead, Charlotte Whitehead and Harley (Michelle Constant) Whitehead; Nicholas Cook and Noah (Kayla Bercier) Cook; 15 great-grandchildren; cousins Florence Ross, Frances (Junior) Scribe and Cameron Ross; son-in-law Frank Whitehead; husband Victor Potolicki; sister-in-law Helen (Ed) Pacholko; brothers-in-law Walter (Anne) Potolicki and Leslie Potolicki; special friend Dorothy Sanderson. Mary was predeceased by her mother Mary Ann Monias; father McLeod Ross; brother Daniel Ross; daughter Margaret Whitehead; cousins Jessie Moore and Cyril Moore; sister-in-law Maxine Potolicki; numerous aunts and uncles. THANKS The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks to Dr. Marie Noel and all the Nurses and Health Care Aides at St. Paul’s Personal Care Home who provided care for our mother and us in her time of need. WAKE SERVICE Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Margaret Henderson Parish Hall, Church of the Redeemer, Opaskwayak FUNERAL SERVICE Wednesday, September 14, 2016 1:00 pm Church of the Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB Presider: Ven. Jim Sayese, Rev. Flora Young Music Ministry: Russell Cook Memorial Singers Scripture Readings: Dinah Garrioch, Mathew Scribe Jr., Cyril Potolicki Eulogy: Cyril Potolicki Tribute: Dinah Garrioch INTERMENT Emmanuel Cemetery, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB RECEPTION Margaret Henderson Parish Hall, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB PALLBEARERS Harley Whitehead, Cecil Passage, Cameron Ross, Tony Monias, John R. Ross, George Ross. HONORARY PALLBEARERS Family and Friends In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 2B7 or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 9Z9, or the Heart and stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0K6, would be appreciated by Mary’s family.