MARY SITAR

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MARY SITAR Mary Sitar, (nee Jachimec) passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2008, at Fred Douglas Lodge at the age of 91, after many years of living with Alzheimer's disease. She loved life, and fought the good fight, accepting each stage of life and its increasing limitations as she aged, with dignity. Mary was born on September 14, 1916 in Whitemouth, Manitoba, to Dmytro and Polly (nee Bunio) Jachimec. As a young girl she worked hard on the farm and even delivered her brother Nick into the world. She loved nature and the animals on the farm, especially her dogs that she spoke of often, and riding horses. Born before women were allowed to vote, she took seriously her duty to do so when that law was changed, as she considered it to be a privilege, and a hard won right for women. As a young teen she worked at housekeeping jobs in the big city to earn extra money. She was proud of that achievement. She met and married Martin Sitar, also of Whitemouth, July 18, 1935. They were married for 51 years. After several years of marriage, they moved from their farm to Winnipeg where they owned and managed together a north end corner grocery store, Sitar's Grocery, for many years. They moved to many different locations in Winnipeg, finally residing in St. James until Mom moved into care at Arlington Haus and then to Fred Douglas Lodge. Mom loved to garden, no matter where they lived. Her home was always filled with plants of all kinds. Over many years she shared her delicious homegrown vegetables with family and friends, often eaten out of hand straight from the garden. We all looked forward to her delicious borsht made from her freshly grown vegetables, which always included Dad's prized potatoes. The fresh caught fish by her husband and son's fishing trips were prepared to perfection, with love. Mom loved to cook and bake and share meals with family and friends. We always looked forward to her meatless dishes prepared for every Christmas Eve in Ukrainian style, which she worked on for days on end in her kitchen. She was an accomplished needleworker and her hand-embroidered works are treasures. She sewed beautifully, making many garments for her daughters and granddaughters when they were young. She was very proud of her homemaking skills and business acumen, and the pride in the work ethic instilled by her parents, she passed on to her children. She often said that there was pride in any honest job, no matter how seemingly small, as long as you gave it everything you had. A wonderful legacy. Mom was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Katie Kulbaba and Victoria Sitar; her brother Nick Jachimec; her beloved husband Martin in 1987; and her beloved daughter Shirley Frost in 2007. Her family was her joy. Her faith in God was unwavering and sustaining through her lifetime. God Bless you were her familiar parting words, as recently as this past June, before she began to succumb to her illness. Mom adored her children and grandchildren and spoke of them often with joy and pride. Mary Sitar is survived by her son, Frank and his wife Dawn, grandson, Reid Sitar and his wife Janet, great-granddaughters, Lauren and Melodie Sitar, grandson, Christopher and his wife Valerie, great-grandchildren, Eryn and Rory Sitar, and by her daughter, Iris Anderson and her husband Brian, granddaughter Nancy Anderson and her partner Mark Ward, great-granddaughter, Alix Cox, granddaughter Catherine Davis and her husband Mark and great-grandchildren Jessica and Jordan Davis, all of Winnipeg; by her son, Timothy and his partner June, and granddaughter Christina Sitar, great-granddaughter Courtney Frost, and grandson James Frost and his wife Stephanie, and their daughter Sophia Mary Elizabeth Frost, and son-in-law Ron Frost, all of Saskatoon. The family wishes to thank the wonderful and compassionate staff at Fred Douglas Lodge Personal Care Home where our mother resided for the past five years. Donations welcomed to Fred Douglas Lodge, 1275 Burrows Avenue or the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba. Funeral service for Mary Sitar will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, with reception to follow. We love you. Rest in Peace. Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sun on ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn rain. When you awake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 11, 2008