MARY KUZYK (SPORTAK)

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MARY KUZYK (nee SPORTAK) On Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, Mary Kuzyk of Winnipeg, formerly of Portage la Prairie, widow of the late Bill Kuzyk passed away at the age of 81 years. Prayers will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., Winnipeg, MB on Friday evening, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 10 at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption, Portage la Prairie at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Tkachuk officiating and Deacon Michael Strilec assisting. Interment will follow in the family plot in Hillside Cemetery. Mary was born on March 24, 1924 daughter of Mike and Helen Sportak at Caliento, MB where she was raised and received her education. After completing her education, Mary worked in Winnipeg and helped her mother on the farm. On October 8, 1949 she married Bill Kuzyk and moved to the farm at Oakville, MB where they raised their family. In December 1990 they retired to Portage, in 1996 they moved to Winnipeg and in 1998 she moved to live in the Senior's Tower at the Holy Family Nursing Home where she resided until her passing. In 1971, Mary became one of Manitoba's first ever kidney transplant patients at a time when odds of survival were very low. 32 years later, in 2003, Mary was honoured with the unique distinction of being the longest living kidney transplant patient in the world. Mary was a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption as well as a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League. One of Mary's most distinctive qualities was her tremendous patience. She enjoyed gardening and special times spent with family and friends. Mary was a very sociable individual and her residence in Winnipeg became the central gathering place for many family events. Her greatest enjoyment came from her grandchildren. Predeceased by her parents, her husband Bill; sister Agnes; brothers, William, Willie and John. She leaves to mourn her passing son Michael (Sharon) of Oakbank and their children, Sam, Luke and Jake; son Patrick (Lorraine) of Winnipeg and their children, Kathryn and Natasha; daughter Marian of Victoria, BC and her children, Christopher and Craig and great-grandson Brandon. Also surviving are brothers, Paul of Braintree, MB, Maurice and Joseph of Caliento; sisters, Rose (Willie) Dysievick of Thunder Bay, ON, Sr. Daria S.S.M.I. of Winnipeg, MB, Anne Makowsky of Kenora ON and several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. Should friends so desire memorial donations may be made in Mary's name to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Manitoba Branch, 730 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 2K8. Friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve . Vichnaya Pam'yat

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2005