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MARY CLEMENTS (BILINSKY)
Born: Sep 21, 1929
Date of Passing: Jul 11, 2019
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
MARY CLEMENTS
Mom was just shy of 90 years of age and leaves behind her three children, Lynn, Jeff and Kelly (Jeff); grandchildren, Jaclynn and Robyn; and two great-grandchildren, Levi and Camden.
Mary was born to the late Myketa and Mary Bilinsky on September 21, 1929. She was third in a family of seven; predeceased by her elder brother Steve Bilinsky and sister Anne Ogrodnik leaving Peter Bilinsky, Alec Belinsky (Josie), Steffie Lyseyko (Oscar) and Virginia Bilinsky.
Mom was born in the Zolochiv area of western Ukraine, but the family decided to come to Canada for a better life and in her fourth year the family arrived in Highland Glen, just outside of Selkirk, MB. As Mom would tell it, it was a tough life, but they all managed. By the time she was 15, she had moved to the big city to continue on with her education and to try to have a better life. She took classes to better herself; typing and shorthand and before long was gainfully employed, but she would move from job to job as she found better working conditions and pay.
She had her share of adventures when she was young, working in Banff with her best friend Evelyn, then going to Toronto before coming back and ultimately meeting Dad. Mom settled down, raised her family while moving all around Canada and Europe and eventually we all settled back in Winnipeg after Dad's military career was over. Mom decided that she wanted to work, and with no experience, embarked on a sales career in real estate. As it turned out, it was something she was very good at, and she thoroughly enjoyed those years of not only the work and rewards, but of all the great people she met along the way. Eventually, when she turned 68, she decided it was enough and there were other things she wanted to do.
The most important thing to Mom was her family and that's where she wanted to spend her time. Mom would travel to wherever her family was; or the family would meet up in her favourite place; Hawaii or their home in Palm Desert. Even though some of us lived away, it never really felt like Mom was too far.
She met her beloved husband, Grant Clements in 1957 and they married on July 5, 1958 in Winnipeg. He predeceased her in April, 2014, but Mom continued on like she always had. She was an incredibly strong woman in every way.
Service will be on Friday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Anglican Church located at 2700 Portage Ave.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society may be made in Mary's memory.
Funeral arrangements are in care of Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk, Manitoba,
www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 13, 2019
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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I was privileged to be a part of the family and was very sorry for the loss of a special lady. Because of Mary and Evelyn who had gone to work in Banff, gave me the incentive to do the same. I am sure they had fabulous and memorable adventures there. Rest in peace, dear cousin. Elsie Burnham - Posted by: Elsie Burnham (Cousin) on: Jul 21, 2019
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Jeff, our deepest condolences to you and your sisters and family. Love, Patty. Neil Katie Hannah and Sarah Enns - Posted by: Patty Enns (Family ) on: Jul 19, 2019
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Kelly, we are so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Heartfelt condolences to you and your family. - Posted by: Ken & Sharon Brown (Real Estate Friends) on: Jul 17, 2019
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Mary was a very special lady and a wonderful lifelong friend to my mother. Maybe they are together again. Heartfelt condolences to the family. - Posted by: Cynthia Bauer (Evelyn's Daughter) on: Jul 16, 2019
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We dearly miss Mary. We always looked forward to seeing her and Grant each winter in Palm Desert; then, sadly, it was just Mary, but we continued long, stimulating and often humorous conversations about life and the world. She obviously loved her family very much and was so proud of each one of you. It has been an honor to know her. We know you'll treasure your memories of a very special woman and friend. - Posted by: Mike and Sandie Weiler (Friends and former neighbors) on: Jul 16, 2019
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Kelly I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. My thoughts are with you, sincerely Diana - Posted by: Diana Groves (Acquaintance to Kelly Clements ) on: Jul 15, 2019
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Lynn, Jeff and Kelly, Ron and I are so sorry to hear of your Mum's passing. We became close friends and neighbours when posted to Comox and enjoyed many happy times together. Mary and I had some good fun taking swimming lessons: trying to golf and camping with our families. We were together again when postings took us to Winnipeg. Since retirement our meetings have been few and far between but we have always kept in touch with each other. She was a great lady and a good friend and we will miss her as I know you all will be missing your mother. Our thoughts are with you. Ron and Ann Thacker - Posted by: Ron & Ann Thacker (Friends) on: Jul 14, 2019
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Kelly and Family - I want to express my sincere sympathy to Kelly and her family on the passing of her dear mother, Mary. Although I was not privileged to have met Mary, as a very close friend of Kelly’s for many years I know what a wonderful lady she was, and how much Kelly loved and respected her. My thoughts and prayers are with you as this very difficult time. Love Barb - Posted by: Barb Hefferton (Friend of daughter, Kelly) on: Jul 13, 2019
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Worked with Mary many times over the years in real estate and she was nothing but thorough and professional. Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. - Posted by: Trudy Johnson (Work associate) on: Jul 13, 2019
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I wish to express my deepest sympathy to Mary's family on this very great loss. I first met Mary and Grant while serving in the R.C.A.F. at Uplands, circa1962, and later we again served together at Comox and Winnipeg. After retirement, we worked together in the Winnipeg Real Estate business for several years. I always knew Mary to be a devoted and supportive Wife and Mother. She was always pleasant and was a very hard worker. She had a great and long life and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. May she Rest In Peace. Orv Malcomson - Posted by: Orv Malcomson (Friend) on: Jul 13, 2019