MARY DENESOVYCH

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MARY DENESOVYCH (nee PRYSTENSKI) With her family at her side, it is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Mary Denesovych. She was born July 4, 1920 in St. Adolphe, Manitoba and passed away on June 13, 2014 at Extendicare Oakview Place where she resided. Mary was the youngest daughter of the late Jozyf Pryzstanski (Prystenski) and Apollonia Scpiela. Her husband Peter predeceased her in 1969, daughter Marjorie Havixbeck in 2007 and son-in-law Raymond Pelletier in 2013. Her brothers, Bill, Frank, Henry, Mike and Walter Prystenski, and sisters Elsie Krystik and Katie Dufault predeceased her. She is survived by her son David (Natalie), daughter Linda Pelletier, son-in-law Peter Havixbeck (Beverly Prystenski); grandchildren: Trisha (John) McGuire, Trever Havixbeck, Andria Peters (Todd), Dean Havixbeck (Moe), Don Pelletier, Rhonda Pelletier (Jeff Wilson), RayJ Pelletier and Kyle Denesovych (Melissa); great-grandchildren, Dane and Gage McGuire, Jayden, Jeremey and Brenden Wilson, Koryll Desrosiers, Kennedy and Tory Peters, sister-in-law Elsie Petriew, and many nieces and nephews. Our mom grew up on the century old Prystenski farm in St. Adolphe and attended Laramee School. She worked at Connery and Plantje Greenhouses, Flyer Industries and St. Amant Centre. Hard work was no stranger to her, as she could chop wood, shovel grain, stook sheaves or manage a team of horses. If you had a plant that needed care, she was the one who could bring your plant back to life. While raising their children, Mary and Peter kept in close contact with the families of Nick and Jean Denesowych, Steve Denesowych, Mary and Steve Kielniak. Car trips to Saskatchewan to celebrate special occasions were made several times a year. Once her children left home, Mary got the travel bug, visiting Greece, Hawaii, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and most of the Canadian provinces and some USA states. She often travelled with her sister-in-law Jean Denesowych and brother-in-law Steve Denesowych in their camper or visited their cottage in Saskatchewan. Card games were won and lost during these visits and perogies made for all of us to enjoy. Special treats her family particularly liked were her cabbage rolls, borscht and cottage cheese crepes. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided her with much joy, as she was often their caregiver. She attended their concerts and sporting events and was their greatest cheerleader, always ready with her horse bells and encouraging words, "go sweetie go". After retirement, her pet project became the collecting of soft drink and beer can tabs. She was a very high achiever, as all of us, her friends and ours gave her pails of tabs. She was always pulling tabs off of cans even after she moved to Oakview Place. Attending the ceremony where a child received a specialized wheelchair due her efforts and those of others pleased her immensely. She joins her husband Peter, her brother Henry and sister-in-law Freida, as she is laid to rest at St. Vital Cemetery where their plots are across from one another. The card game is about to begin. Rest in peace Mom, we love you. In remembrance of Mary, please bring your soft drink and beer can tabs with you to her service. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the St. Amant Foundation or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff at Extendicare Oakview Place for their care and compassion. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, June 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 18, 2014