Mary Wojtowicz
AUGUST 25, 1935 – SEPTEMBER 19, 2021
Peacefully, in the early morning of September 19th, 2021. Mary Wojtowicz passed away at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital with her children by her side.
Mary was born in Winnipeg to John and Pauline Bohachuk. Shortly afterwards, her family moved to Rennie Manitoba and in 1942 her dad was transferred to Kenora. She attended Central School and Kenora High School. Upon graduation she met Mike Wojtowicz, the love of her life. They were married in 1952 and made Kenora their permanent home.
Together they had 3 children. Rosalind (Les) and their children Michelle (Dustin) and daughter Jaden; Blair (Samantha) and twins Isla and Avery of Dryden; Julia (Devon) of Vancouver. Michael (Peggy) their son Scott of Sudbury; Jamie (Krista), Danika and Jett and their mother Crystal and grandmother Susie Susan (Glen) and their son Joel, children Lauren and Jake of Sudbury and their mother Amber; Jodi and son Oakley of Sudbury, Jenny (Dustin), children Rush and Kali of Sioux Narrows.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, her husband Mike and her sister Nancy and brother-in-law Siegfried Scheibler and niece Kristina’s husband Mark Alcock.
Missing her will be her nephews Mark, Richard and Peter Scheibler; her niece Kristina and their families. Growing up Mary was actively involved in sports and had a passion for playing the mandolin. Having survived polio, she was still able to pursue the things she loved to do. Many will recall seeing her friendly smile when she worked for many years in Safeway and later Shop Easy.
She was a trained interpreter and was called upon often for her translation services. Besides her family, Ukrainian culture was very important to her. She was a member of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church for over 50 years and part of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League.
Mary enjoyed decorating the Pysanka, (Easter egg) which can be seen displayed in the Ottawa Museum and in houses across Canada. She was honoured to be invited to local schools to be part of art class. She organized and participated in Ukrainian dance groups, both adult and children, having performed in the Kenora Multicultural Festival for many years. Mary found time to sew and embroider and to teach her children and grandchildren the art of cooking traditional Ukrainian food.
Thanks are extended to Dr. Shannon Wiebe, Dr. Emily Drake and Dr. Brad Kyle as well as the dedicated nurses at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. Special thanks to Char Mellilo for her kindness and compassion. We would also like to acknowledge long time friend Father Isidore Dziadyk of Winnipeg, for his prayers and masses.
Funeral Services will take place Saturday September 25th, 2021 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church at 1:00 with Father Michael Hayes officiating. Interment will follow at the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.
Masks will be required and social distancing will apply.
If friends so desire, a donation can be made in her memory to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.