MARY (HUMENY) RYBAK

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MARY (HUMENY) RYBAK It is with great sadness we announce that Mary (Humeny) Rybak formerly of Winnipeg, passed away February 23, 2002 peacefully in her 88th year at the Ridge Meadow Hospital, Maple Ridge, BC with family at her side. Born in Arborg, MB, June 7, 1913, she came to Winnipeg at 14 to work as a babysitter/housekeeper. Mary worked her entire life at various occupations, but became an experienced presser at Perths and Quintons. At 17, Mary met and married Philip Rybak. Together they had two daughters, June and Barbara. Mary also became an aunty many times, and was fondly called chocha Mary. In 1956 Mary and Philip relocated to Vancouver where they operated a dry cleaning business. Marys family grew and grew. She became a Nana, then a great-grandmother. Family was her greatest love and she cherished the time with them as well as the many good friends she made over the years. Marys love for travel took her throughout Canada, the USA, Russia and the Ukraine. When she was 50 she decided to learn how to ice skate, ride a bike and type. She was very determined and accomplished them all. These were a few of her favourite things... the love of cooking, picking berries at the cottage, tea in a bone china cup, movies with Pepsi, chips and chocolate, searching for a flavour of ice cream she didnt like, playing her Loto numbers, Bingo and sharing conversations and stories. Mary always took pride in looking her best. She faced lifes challenges with great courage, grace and perserverance. Soft spoken, warm hearted, loving, caring, gentle, thoughtful and always willing to take that extra moment to make you feel special is how she will be remembered. She was predeceased by her husband Philip, parents, Anna and Michael Humeny, brothers, William and Steve (Kay) Humeny, sister Catherine (Mike) Mak, and her great-granddaughter Lori McGregor. She will be sadly missed by daughters, June (Walter) Kohut and Barbara Kostuk; granddaughters, Karen (Bob) McGregor, Susan (John) Hutton and Shelley (Jeff) Webster; grandsons, Glenn (Lyne) Kohut, Todd (Angie) Kostuk, Lonny Kostuk, Dorey (Brenda) Kostuck, Loren Kostuk; great-granddaughter Kristyn Webster; great-grandsons, Dean McGregor, Alexander Hutton, Nicholas and Brandon Kohut, Garrett Webster, Kody and Kainan Kostuk; sisters, Tena (Fred) Saunders, Pauline (Paul) Arsenych; sister-in-law Olga Humeny; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Cremation was held in Maple Ridge, BC. A memorial service to celebrate Marys life will be held in Winnipeg at a later date. In lieu of flowers, should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to The Lori McGregor Memorial Fund - for Pediatric Oncology Reseach at Childrens Hospital Foundations, CE 501, 840 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1 or The Childrens Wish Foundation, 350 St. Mary Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3C 3X7. Forever in our hearts. We all love you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 09, 2002