MARY MacMARTIN DIDUCH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY MacMARTIN DIDUCH (nee ESSEX) Peacefully, and in the presence of her family, Mary MacMartin Diduch of Stonewall, Man. passed away on Friday, February 9, 2001. Born in Stonewall, Man., in 1920, Mary attended Tecumseh School and married her childhood sweetheart, Cyril MacMartin in 1939. They had three children. After raising their family in Winnipeg, they moved to Stonewall and became very active in the community, in particular with the Odd Fellows and the Rebeccas. After the death of Cyril in 1983, Mary continued her involvement with clogging, curling, and the Anglican Church. She enjoyed travelling with family and friends to such places as, Europe, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and various places throughout North America, including Lee River and the Whiteshell. Mary has a passion for crafts such as, sewing, knitting and cake decorating, as well as her hobbies, gardening and cooking. She was happy to share all of these creative talents with her grandchildren. Marys grandchildren were very important to her, and she to them, and she kept in touch after they grew up and scattered near and far. Mary married Leon Diduch in 1986, allowing her to become a mother and grandmother to his large family. Together Mary and Leon made their life in Stonewall and spent the first years of their marriage travelling in their camper van. Mary and Leon loved spending time with their two dogs, Candy and Taffy, but they also enjoyed an afternoon out with the Tuesday noon pizza gang. Mary is survived by her husband Leon, and her three children, Walter (Lynn), Ted (Mary), and Patricia (Russ Duthoit). She will also be sadly missed by her five grandchildren, Lisa, Shawn (Carrie), Kristine, Shannon, and Erin (Ken), and her three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Teassa, and Kyle. Mary will be lovingly remembered by Leons four children, Gary (Lenore), Charlotte (Bob Stalker), Wayne (Lillian), and Cindy (Frank Perillo) his six grandchildren, Rodney (Charlynne), Lisa (Roshur), Jason (Tracy), Jeff (Cristina), Joanne (Michael), and Amber; and his four great-grandchildren, Megan, Curtis, Deanna, and Carissa. Her family also includes, her brothers Roy (Wilma) and John (Frances) sister-in-law Jean, and brother-in-law Frank Slatcher, as well as many nieces and nephews, and a very special relationship with Wayne Shultz. Mary was predeceased by her father Walter, her mother Elizabeth, stepmother Elsie, brother George, sister-in-law Kay Slatcher, sister-in-law Margaret Boyd, and brother-in-law Murray Boyd. Mary was a woman of great strength, unconditional love, generosity, dignity and grace. Her death is a tremendous loss to all the people whose lives she touched. A special thanks to the staff at Dr. Evelyn Memorial Hospital for making her time there comfortable. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or The Humane Society. Friends may call for viewing from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall. A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 14 at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall. Rev. Marc Whitehead will officiate. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 13, 2001