MARY HOLOWKA

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MARY HOLOWKA March 2, 1919 - November 18, 2013 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Holowka on November 18, 2013 at Park Manor Personal Care Home. She will be deeply missed by her loving family, sons Wally (Gladys) and Greg (Deborah), daughter Bonnie Scott (John), 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mary was predeceased by her husband Walter, parents John and Violet Petraschuk, brothers Steven, Michael and William, and her sister Dorothy. Mary was born on March 2, 1919 and lived her whole life in Winnipeg. She was known by many names, including Minya, Peedles, Mom, Grandma, and Baba. Baseball was a lifelong passion; in fact, it was while watching a game that she met her eventual husband who was playing for the rival team. She was also an avid fan of the Blue Jays, following them faithfully on TV. Mary was proud of the athletic pursuits of her grandchildren, often attending their games. Music was a big part of Mary's life. As well as singing in the choir at St. Ivan Suchavsky Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (for over 50 years) and playing the mandolin, she made sure that every family get-together featured a sing-song or an impromptu concert. She attended all of her grandchildren's concerts, dances and shows. They knew how proud she was of their accomplishments and how much she loved them. Everyone has fond memories of playing hide and seek inside her home or dressing up in old clothes in the attic. Mary was a great believer in the three L's: love, laughter and lots of food. Family dinners were regular events full of an amazing variety of food, lively conversation and fun for all ages. Mary had a strong work ethic, which served her well in her early career as a waitress at two iconic Winnipeg restaurants - Picardy's and Kelekis. Later in life she worked for many years at Eaton's and The Bay. She instilled this work ethic into her three children, encouraging them to pursue higher education. Mary had a wide and varied circle of friends who were always welcome to drop by her house on Manhattan Avenue. Many happy afternoons were spent with friends knitting, crocheting, chatting and laughing. She attended Grey Street United Church and was grateful for the wonderful friends and memorable events there over many years. She was always available to lend a hand to a friend in need with visits, cooking, baking and support, treating others as though they were part of her family. She had a disarming way of connecting with almost anyone she met. Mary knew so many people that she even bumped into acquaintances on the streets of Mexico City, Orlando, Toronto, Thunder Bay and Vancouver. Mary's strong faith in a loving God was evident in her caring, generous spirit. The family would like to thank the staff of Park Manor Personal Care Home for two and a half years of generous love, care and attention. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, November 25 at 1:00 p.m. at Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery Crematorium, 1800 Day Street, Rev. Bonita Garrett presiding. Private interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Park Manor Personal Care Home. Funeral Arrangements in Care of Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery Crematorium 1800 Day Street 204-224-1525
Publish Date: Nov 23, 2013

MARY HOLOWKA March 2, 1919 - November 18, 2013 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Holowka on November 18, 2013 at Park Manor Personal Care Home. She will be deeply missed by her loving family, sons Wally (Gladys) and Greg (Deborah), daughter Bonnie Scott (John), 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mary was predeceased by her husband Walter, parents John and Violet Petraschuk, brothers Steven, Michael and William, and her sister Dorothy. Mary was born on March 2, 1919 and lived her whole life in Winnipeg. She was known by many names, including Minya, Peedles, Mom, Grandma, and Baba. Baseball was a lifelong passion; in fact, it was while watching a game that she met her eventual husband who was playing for the rival team. She was also an avid fan of the Blue Jays, following them faithfully on TV. Mary was proud of the athletic pursuits of her grandchildren, often attending their games. Music was a big part of Mary's life. As well as singing in the choir at St. Ivan Suchavsky Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (for over 50 years) and playing the mandolin, she made sure that every family get-together featured a sing-song or an impromptu concert. She attended all of her grandchildren's concerts, dances and shows. They knew how proud she was of their accomplishments and how much she loved them. Everyone has fond memories of playing hide and seek inside her home or dressing up in old clothes in the attic. Mary was a great believer in the three L's: love, laughter and lots of food. Family dinners were regular events full of an amazing variety of food, lively conversation and fun for all ages. Mary had a strong work ethic, which served her well in her early career as a waitress at two iconic Winnipeg restaurants - Picardy's and Kelekis. Later in life she worked for many years at Eaton's and The Bay. She instilled this work ethic into her three children, encouraging them to pursue higher education. Mary had a wide and varied circle of friends who were always welcome to drop by her house on Manhattan Avenue. Many happy afternoons were spent with friends knitting, crocheting, chatting and laughing. She attended Grey Street United Church and was grateful for the wonderful friends and memorable events there over many years. She was always available to lend a hand to a friend in need with visits, cooking, baking and support, treating others as though they were part of her family. She had a disarming way of connecting with almost anyone she met. Mary knew so many people that she even "bumped into" acquaintances on the streets of Mexico City, Orlando, Toronto, Thunder Bay and Vancouver. Mary's strong faith in a loving God was evident in her caring, generous spirit. The family would like to thank the staff of Park Manor Personal Care Home for two and a half years of generous love, care and attention. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Monday, November 25 at 1:00 p.m. at Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium, 1800 Day Street, Rev. Bonita Garrett presiding. Private interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Park Manor Personal Care Home. Funeral Arrangements in Care of Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street 204-224-1525
Publish Date: Nov 23, 2013

MARY HOLOWKA 1919 - 2013 Peacefully on November 18, 2013, at Park Manor Personal Care Home, Mary Holowka passed away at the age of 94 years. A longer obituary will follow in Saturday's edition. Funeral arrangements in care of Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street 224-1525
Publish Date: Nov 20, 2013
Publish Date: Nov 23, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2013