MARY HARRISON

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MARY HARRISON (1922 - 2017) Mary Harrison (nee Zmurchyk) was born in Beleluya, Poland on September 7, 1922. Beloved wife of 63 years to Walter (1918- 2005), mother of Robert (Christel) and Peter (Shawn) and grandmother of Samantha, Maxwell (Phoebe) and Hanna Terra. Mary immigrated to Canada with her mother Docia in 1928 joining her father Nykiefor who arrived in 1924 to work in the coal mines of Coalhurst, Alberta. Her brother Waezal was born shortly after, but died at a young age. Her mother died when Mary was eight and her father died in a coal mining accident in 1935. Mary lived at the Workers Benevolent Association's orphanage north of Winnipeg in Parkdale, Manitoba from 1930-1938. It was at the Parkdale Orphanage that she developed her lifelong friendship with Gertie Zukowsky. At the orphanage she developed her love and appreciation of nature, which she passed along to her children and grandchildren. Upon leaving the orphanage she lived with a family from the Ukranian Labour Temple. At the Hall she found her love of music, played the mandolin in the orchestra, met and fell in love with Walter. She graduated from Secretarial College and was hired as a Legal Secretary by the office of Joe Zuken, later Zuken/Penner. When Roland Penner became Attorney General of Manitoba in 1981, Mary was invited to join his staff. She worked in the AG's office till 1987, happily retiring to embrace her new role as a grandmother. Mary and Walter, married in Winnipeg in August 1942, first lived with Walter's mother Hafia and then with Walter's brother Steve and his wife Ann. Upon the arrival of their second son in 1957 they moved into their own home on Smithfield Ave. Mary now had her large back yard, which she filled with spectacular gardens, envied by all. Mary and Walter loved to camp in their trailer, spend hours fishing or searching for treasures in the forest or on the beach. Mary was much loved by her many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was the pillar of the family, the one who everyone turned to. Her family and friends were her life. She endeared herself to everyone she met, taking great pride in remembering names and faces and making new friends. She was the best and will be greatly missed. A special thanks to Dr. Karen Appel and the amazing staff at the Kildonan Medical Centre/Seven Oaks Hospital. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice. There will be a celebration of Mary's life, Friday, March 10 at 1:00 p.m., The Parkway, 95 Paget Street.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 09, 2017