MARIA (MARY) VARGA (KOSC)

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MARIA (MARY) VARGA (nee KOSC) After a lengthy battle with cancer and with all the dignity and the courage shown throughout her life, Mary Varga passed away peacefully, at the age of 83, on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at the St. Boniface General Hospital. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving daughter Margaret; son-in-law Bill Sallows; and granddaughter Tricia (Shaun Rempel). Mary will also be sadly missed by her brother John (Mary); her sisters, Ann Waraksa and Veronica Motoska; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was welcomed into Heaven by her loving husband Michael; her father Peter; her mother Verona; brother Michael (Elsie); and sisters, Martha (Rene Saltel) and Elonka (Lawrence Bean). Mary was born on December 3, 1921 in Muly Sulin, Czechoslovakia. Her immigration identification card shows that she arrived in Canada on the ship Montclaire on June 6, 1931, when she was nine years old, along with her mother, brother John and sisters, Ann and Elonka to join their father at their newly established homestead in Tilley, AB. Mary grew up in Tilley and on January 11, 1943, she married her one and only love, Michael Varga. Together they set out to their new homestead in the Municipality of Shuniah, in the Township of McIntyre in the District of Thunder Bay where their only daughter Margaret was born on October 12, 1943. Side by side they cleared approximately 10 acres of bush for mixed farming using a horse and a plow, hand-hewed lumber for the barn they built, hand dug a well and spent 20 years enjoying the fruits of their labour and abundant wildlife on their 35 acre farm with the McIntyre River running across it. Without warning, Mary's husband passed away on December 6, 1963. Hence, she moved into Thunder Bay and commenced work as a Dietary Aide at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Port Arthur until her retirement. During this time, Mary along with her two best friends, Elma and Edna Wedgerfield (who did all the driving), travelled across Canada from ocean to ocean, tenting and camping all along the way - a remarkable feat indeed. In 1984, Mary moved into Winnipeg to spend time with her only granddaughter, Tricia, who was two years old at the time. Mary's passion was needlework and gardening. For 18 years, her multitude of colourful flowers adorned her home on Goulding Street and from her picture window she would see the cars slow down as they drove past her house in admiration. Her other passion was travelling throughout Europe. She made trips to her homeland of Czechoslovakia, as well as England, Holland, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Medugorje, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Sicily, Yugoslavia and Switzerland. When Mary couldn't travel anymore, she still did her travelling at the Folklorama every year until she moved into the Lion's Manor in September of 2004, where she still courageously maintained her independence. In the dining room of the Manor, surrounded by the many friends she made and accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary celebrated Easter Sunday. On Easter Monday, she was admitted to the palliative care ward of the St. Boniface Hospital, where she unceasingly voiced her praise and appreciation for the excellent care and support she received from all the staff. From the solarium, Mary was able to have one last view of the Forks that she loved so dearly. A casual dress memorial to celebrate Mary's life will be held on Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Elim Chapel, 546 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Coffee and snacks will follow. Mary's family would like to thank all the staff at CancerCare Manitoba (specifically, Pam Johnston, who steered us in the right direction for pain control), the staff at the CancerCare, St. Boniface Unit (specifically, Dr. P. J. Daeninck, who treated Mary with such loving care) and all the staff during her short stay at the palliative care ward. Our family would also like to thank Wanda Guenther and Cathy Russell of the W.R.H.A. Breast Health Centre for all their efforts to treat Mary's Lymphedema. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to the CancerCare Society Manitoba, Room 1160, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or by calling the donations office at 787-4143 or toll free 1-877-407-2223. MISS ME BUT LET ME GO When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free: Miss me a little, but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared. Miss me but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone, It's part of the master plan A step on the road to home. So when you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know, And bury your sorrows in doing deeds Miss me...but let me go. WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2005