MARY STEPHANCHEW (STEFANCIW)

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MARY STEPHANCHEW (STEFANCIW) February 21, 1913 - February 22, 2003 Peacefully, on Saturday, February 22, 2003 at Holy Family Nursing Home, Mary passed away at the age of 90 years. Mary was predeceased by her husband Walter on February 2, 1997, whom she was married to for 59 years. Mary will be lovingly remembered and missed by her children, daughter Gerri Sims of Kitchener, ON; son Dr. Wayne Stefanciw and his wife Michelle of Traverse City, MI; her six grandchildren, including Ted Sims of Winnipeg, MB, Constable Karen Sims of North Vancouver, BC, Alex, Chris, Alexis, and Jonathan Stefanciw of Traverse City, MI; her brother Joseph D. Payjack of Winnipeg; her family members who knew her as Auntie Mary, as well as the staff members and friends she had the pleasure of being with while at Holy Family Nursing Home. Mary was also predeceased by her parents, Anna (Derbowka) and Nicholas Malayny; stepfather Joseph Payjack; brother Harry; and sisters, Irene Ruthig, Steffie Iwankow, and Agnes Fournier. Mary was born on February 21, 1913 in Roblin, MB. She began working at an early age to help support her widowed mother and siblings. After working across Western Canada, she met Walter in Toronto, ON where she was working as a waitress. Mary and Walter were married on March 6, 1937 in Winnipeg at St. Nicholas Church. Mary and Walter owned and operated a grocery store located on McGregor Street and Manitoba Avenue until Walter and his brother John established W. & J. Stephanchew Church Goods Co. Ltd. in 1946. Walter and John were well respected in the religious community and operated the business until their retirement in 1978. Mary was a very active and outgoing person and never hesitant about speaking what was on her mind! She had been involved with activities sponsored by the Womens League of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church as well as other Ukrainian Womens Associations. She ensured that her children received a professional education with Gerri becoming a Pharmacist and Wayne a Urologist, which she was always proud to tell others. At home, she loved to garden, sew, do housework, have company over, and spoil her grandchildren and pets. She looked forward to her grandchildren, Ted and Karen coming for weekend visits when they were younger and making a Sunday family dinner. Her family loved her Ukrainian cooking and she made some of the best perogies, holupchi, paska, borscht, and chicken soup. During the summer, Mary and Walter enjoyed their children and grandchildren at their cottage at Ingolf, ON. Some of her favourite summer pastimes were blueberry picking and pie making, going for boat rides to the Ingolf Store and Lodge, and watching Ted and Karen swim and fish. Mary and Walter also had the opportunity to travel frequently and their favourite destinations were Las Vegas and Hawaii. Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and was always giving generously of herself, especially to Walter during his later years. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to all of the staff at Holy Family Nursing Home for their compassionate care over the last two years. In addition, we appreciated the efforts of all of Marys past homecare workers and V.O.N. nurses who helped Mary stay at home as long as possible. Prayers will be said on Friday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. so all immediate family members can attend. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Ave. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marys memory to Holy Family Nursing Home, 165 Aberdeen Ave. We will miss you BABA ! CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2003