MARY ANASTASIA OLENCH (SLOBODZIAN)

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MARY ANASTASIA OLENCH (nee SLOBODZIAN) Mary passed away peacefully on July 11, 2006 at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre after a brief illness. Mary was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, a successful businesswoman, a tireless community worker and a great friend to many. She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by Stephen, her husband of 66 years; daughter Lisa-Maria; son-in-law Roger Bean; and her beloved grandchildren, Grace and Emily. Also mourning her death are sister Barbara Slobodzian; sisters-in-law, Elin Slobodzian, Marion Slobodian and Mildred Semcow; brother-in-law Fred Kokura; her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many, many friends. Mary joins her parents, Sophia and Nicholas Slobodzian; sisters, Jay Kokura, Anita Campbell, Lillian Melnyk; brothers, Michael, John, Metro and Peter in life everlasting. Mary was born in Dauphin, MB on January 5, 1920. She received her education in Dauphin schools and Little's Business College. She met Stephen in High School, and married him in 1940 while he was in the Air Force. After the war, Mary and her sister Jay established the Mary-Jayne Shoppe with their husbands. Mary had honed her business skills as an entrepreneur with her brothers and sisters when she was a girl, and became a consummate Saleswoman, Buyer and Public Relations expert for the business. Mary and Stephen moved to Flin Flon, MB from 1948 to 1962 and ran the shop there, often commuting to the other shops in Dauphin and Red Deer, AB, in their aircraft. They have resided in Dauphin since 1962. Family was a great source of joy to Mary, as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She travelled the Prairie Provinces and sat through endless competitions and concerts as a Highland Dancing Mom. In recent years she found herself sitting through endless competitions and promotion tests as a Tae Kwondo Wife. In the year 2000, Mary and Stephen celebrated their Diamond Anniversary with friends from far and wide. Since then, her most recent pride and joy was the arrival (finally!) of her grandchildren. Mary has been a most doting and beloved Baba. Over the years, she has been active as a member and on the executive of many clubs, notably Kinettes, Lionelles and Toastmistress. Mary was a founding member of the committee to save the Old Town Hall and create the Allied Arts Centre (now the Dr. Vern Watson Arts Centre). For many years, she was a pro fundraiser and Convener of the Annual Gala Balls and Concerts for the Centre. Mary's efforts were most recently dedicated to the Dauphin and District Community Foundation. Mary drew great strength from her faith; at St. Viator's Church, she was over the years variously a member of the Parish Council, a Eucharist Minister and a worker with St. Luke's Society, taking Holy Communion to the sick. The Catholic Women's League has recognized Mary for over 40 years of service. Mary's zest for life was contagious. She ice skated, cycled, played tennis, badminton and roller skated in her early years. In later years it was dancing - whether Hula, Disco or Line Dancing, Mary was determined to master each in turn. Her favourite was Ballroom Dancing with Stephen. Mary was blessed with many opportunities to travel and explore the world she loved, especially winter vacations in Nassau, Mexico, Hawaii and Florida. Her favourite place was Hawaii, where she and Stephen used to vacation every year, visiting with dear lifelong friends in Honolulu and relaxing in the sun on Maui. A rosary service will be held on Tuesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. from Dauphin's St. Viator's Roman Catholic Church. Followed by prayers at 7:00 p.m. also from the Church. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. from Dauphin's St.Viator's Roman Catholic Church. Fr. Yolando Gamallo will officiate and the interment will follow in the Dauphin Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary may be made to St. Viator's Roman Catholic Church or to the Dauphin and District Community Foundation. The Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Service are in care of the funeral arrangements. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Service Ltd. Dauphin, Manitoba 1-204-638-4110

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 15, 2006