MARY CLIFFORD (DROSDOWSKI)

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MARY CLIFFORD (nee DROSDOWSKI) It is with deepest sadness we announce the loss of our beloved and gracious sister and aunt. Mary passed into the arms of her Lord and Saviour on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at the age of 97. She passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Mary was born August 24, 1904 in Silver Creek Municipality, Angusville, MB. She was the seventh child in a family of 15 children. She grew up on the family homestead near Lakedale and attended both Lakedale Church and School. In 1904, she was the first baby to be christened in the church which her father help build. In her teenage years, Mary worked for the Smellie family in Russell, the Nield family south of Angusville and other families in Binscarth and Virden. Eventually, she and her friends moved to Regina. It was here she met her future husband, Frank, who was a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. They moved to Ottawa and were married there on May 14, 1935. Following Franks retirement, they moved to Miami, FL and were employed as a couple by Mrs. Faye. They spent their summers in Washington, DC and their winters in Miami on Mrs. Fayes estates. Eighteen years ago, in 1984, Mary moved back to Canada to live with her sister, Emilia Hnatiuk, in Winnipeg. Then in 2000 when Emily required more care, Mary moved to Brandon to live with her sister Rose Switzer and niece Fran Dagg. Mary was a member of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Church in Winnipeg and also a member of the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Ladies League. She had a very strong faith and continued throughout her lifetime to worship her Lord, read the Bible and pray faithfully every day. Mary enjoyed visiting with and visits from her large extended family. She was a gracious host. She enjoyed shopping, telling life stories, receiving mail and going out for dinner or picnics. Mary will be remembered for her caring, quiet and gracious manner and will be forever remembered and sadly missed by her sisters, Anastasia Dmyterko, Emilia Hnatiuk and Rose Switzer. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mary Drozdowsky and Francis Drozdowsky; her adopted sister Anne Novinka; and 34 nieces and nephews and their families. Mary was predeceased by her husband Frank (1962) her parents, Anne (1947) and Theodore (1957) Drosdowski; her brothers, Joe, Leo, Peter, Michael, William, Tony, Walter and Alex; her sisters, Mary, Dorothea and Josephine; and eight nieces and nephews. The funeral service of Divine Liturgy was held on Monday, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, Winnipeg, with Fr. Ihor Royik as Celebrant, assisted by Cantor Jeanette Brenton. A dinner and reception followed the service in the church hall. Cremation has taken place and interment will be held at a later date at Holy Family Cemetery. Pallbearers were Emil Kowal, Wesley Drosdoski, Terry Dagg, George Hill, David Hill and John Kowal. Donations in remembrance of Mary may be made to St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, or to the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Ladies League, 590 Alverstone St., Winnipeg, MB R3G 2B9. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements were in care of Brockie Donovan, Brandon, 727-0694.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2002