MARY LABINOWICH

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MARY LABINOWICH Peacefully, Mary died on December 5, 2003, at 12:10 a.m., 102 years young. Mary was born in the village of Wieszchowce, Husiatyn, Poland, on August 9, 1901 and baptized on the 11th. She came to Winnipeg to make her home in 1923 and brought with her a strong work ethic. She enjoyed preparing simple, wholesome meals. Her passion was her garden. On an early summer morning, the first thing she would do was to go to the window and see what had grown overnight. She shared the fruit of her labour with others. She would say, "When I open the door, the flowers are smiling at me!" And she smiled back. Mary expressed her love by her faithfulness to family, neighbours and church. She touched the hearts of others by her wit, her sense of justice and compassion for all who worked hard. She took pride in doing ordinary tasks well. Until the end of her days she had a smiling countenance. With her family, Mary moved 11 times, but always lived in North Winnipeg for over 80 years. She has been a faithful member of St. John Cantius Parish and the St. John Cantius Fraternal Society during that time. At 98, she was still fiercely independent, living alone, caring for her home and garden. As her balance deteriorated, she asked to live at St. Benedicts Monastery. Mary will be deeply missed by her daughter Sister Catherine, O.S.B. of Winnipeg, and her son Edward and his wife Shirley, who live in Gresham, OR, as well as nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her dear husband John; by her parents, John and Rosalia Kunicki; her sisters, Ann, Josephine, Bernice, Julie, Frances, Michalina, Antonina; and brother Peter. The family expresses their heartfelt thanks to Dr. B. Gorski. For all the love and compassion extended to Mary, we thank each Benedictine Sister and each care giver. Visitation will take place at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 8, at St. Benedicts Monastery. The Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:30 a.m. Msgr. Stan Jaworski will preside. After the buffet, interment will take place at St. Marys Cemetery on Osborne. The pallbearers will be Mark Fleck, Ed Kost, Ed Kowalchuk, Peter Moroz, Bill Nanka and Ted Prokopanko. In lieu of flowers a donation may be given to St. Benedicts Foundation or a charity of your choice. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2003