MARY GROCH (PIETRYK)

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MARY GROCH (nee PIETRYK) May 11, 1913 - October 31, 2011 On Monday, October 31, 2011, Mary Groch passed away at Victoria General Hospital. Mary, known to old friends as Minnie or Min and to relatives as Pat, was born in Winnipeg and was the eldest child of Nicholas and Apolonia Pietryk. Her parents were born in the village of Koziwka, Ternopil, Ukraine and immigrated to Canada in 1907 and 1911. She lived all her life in Fort Rouge and attended Earl Grey School. She was a member of Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church since 1946 and a member of UCWLC where she held various positions. She also sang in the Church choir for over 50 years. Aunty Pat was willing to help out wherever she saw a need or was needed. Mary often said she was blessed because she was surrounded and supported by wonderful people. For us who knew her, we were honoured to know such a warm and accepting person. She was thankful for her friends, especially Mary Tuchak, a friend for 60 years who provided her eyes for reading letters and news in Ukrainian when Mary's sight failed in later years and who always kept in contact with Mary with lively phone conversations. Jessie Bain happily assisted Mary with many daily tasks when they both lived independently on the fourth floor of Pembina Place. She much appreciated and enjoyed visits at Pembina Place PCH from Evelyn Melnyk and the help Evelyn provided. Elsie Holigroski, a volunteer at Pembina Place, held a special place in Mary's heart as a friend who provided eyes for many activities at the Care Home. Her guardian angels, Mary said. The family sincerely thanks the nursing, housekeeping, recreation and front office staff of Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home for the devoted attention they gave to Mary. She enjoyed your company immensely. Thank you all for the support you provided that certainly went beyond the call of duty. More guardian angels, Mary often said. Mary leaves to cherish her memory, nephew James Pietryk (Carol); niece Lynda Boone (Joe); great-nieces Tammy MacDonald (Bill), Karen Letham (Rob), Nancy Wiebe (Trevor), Kathryn Pietryk; great-great-nieces Tori MacDonald, Jensen and Taylor Letham; great-great-nephews Brett MacDonald and Ryland Wiebe. She was predeceased by Michael, her husband of 35 years in 1986; parents Apolonia and Nicholas Pietryk; sister Evelyn Slowik (Walter); brothers Joe Pietryk (Edmee) and William Pietryk. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 5 at Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1001 Grant Ave. with Fr. D. Kawiuk officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. If desired, donations may be made in Mary's memory to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Vichnaya Pamyat KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 03, 2011