Mary Muzyshyn
August 28, 1926 – October 16, 2018
1926 – 2018
With sorrow we announce the passing of Mary Muzyshyn (Wedesh), “little Mary”, “Marusk” , “Grams” our loving, gentle, patient, resilient, beautiful, compassionate, tenacious, hardworking mother, grandmother and great grandmother on October 16, 2018 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mary was the daughter of the late John and Pearl (Jennifer nee Brezden) Wedesh. Born in Gilnsko, Galicia, Poland (Ukraine) on August 28, 1926. In 1928, Mary’s father and uncle made the journey to Canada. They were sponsored by the Canadian Railroad which meant his passage to Canada was paid in exchange for a commitment to working as a farmhand outside of Mundare, Alberta. In 1929, Mary and her mother, Pearl left Ukraine and made the long journey by ship from Ukraine to Canada to reunite with her father.They arrived on the eastern shore of Canada and travelled by train to their new home outside of Mundare. In approximately 1939 the Wedesh family which included Mary’s mother, father, sister Gloria and brother Gene moved to North Edmonton where John found work at Canada Packers/Swifts Meatpacking plant.
At the age of 14, Mary landed her first job working in a drycleaners. Her father was concerned about Mary working long hours with little pay and encouraged his boss at Canada Packers/Swiftsto hire his daughter. Mary was hired but with a condition because she was a petite 4’11” woman weighing less than 100 pounds, “she needed to prove herself capable of keeping up”. She quickly proved her abilities and remained there for several years. This was Mary’s first unionized job which she learned about labour rights and became an active member participating in the strike of 1945. In June of 1949, Mary married Victor Muzyshyn (Musick)(predeceased). Since she was married Mary had to leave her job to give the men who returned from the Second World War employment. Mary determined to find employment followed her sister’s advice to get some typing skills and she quickly secured employment in a law office. After a few years in the law office Mary began looking for employment with better working conditions and landed a unionized job with the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Worker’s International Union (OCAW) under the then president Neil Reimer and the National Director Reg Baskin. It was a one-woman office that she managed competently with her dog at her side each day. She always talked about how she loved that job because they treated her with respect and fairness. Mary was also a member of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) and served as president of her local for a term when her local had a wildcat. She was a strong supporter of the NDP beginning in the days of Grant Notley.
In Mary’s young years when not working she enjoyed the frequent outings to dance the jitterbug at the Rainbow Room or the Blue Room with her best friend Ann Musick (Ruzycki) and others. Ann and Mary became sister in-laws when they married Muzyshn (Musick) brothers. Mary was welcomed into Victor’s family with open arms – Walter (Olia) (predeceased), Steffie (Blackie, predeceased), Mary (Alex) (predeceased), Russell (predeceased) (Ann). Because there were a few women in her family named Mary she became “Little Mary” to many. In 1958 Mary and Victor adopted their only child, Lori Root (Halifax).
Mary became the sole breadwinner and caregiver because Victor suffered from chronic illnesses. After Victor passed away suddenly in 1977, her parents lived with her for several years until their passing. Mary lived independently with a dog or two for almost 40 years but had friends and family near. Her sister-in-law Mary Kimenius lived next door for several years. They enjoyed each other’s company and spent many hours making pierogis, cabbage rolls, donuts, pies, etc.
Mary retired in the early 1980’s from the OCAW union after 20 years, chosing a simple life with the company of family and friends. She attended and enjoyed family gatherings but preferred one on one visits with family and friends over a cup of tea or two. Her sister Gloria and Sid Gillard (predeceased) visits were very important to her along with her regular telephone conversations with her sister and daughter discussing politics, current affairs and exchanging recipes. She enjoyed music of different genres proven by her large collection of CDs including her favorite idol Clay Aiken. She read many things but reading the daily Edmonton Journal from front to back in all its detail was a ritual, even if it took all week to read. She also made it a daily practice of recording movies from the movie channel. Having recorded over 100 movies she devised a filing system to access the many movies she filed to watch “another day”. She completed many beautiful crochet and knitting projects over the years. For several years Mary took up bowling (Bronx Bowling League) and dog obedience training with her friend and neighbor, Marlene (Mrs Jurykovsky or Mrs J.) Mary was open-minded and always eager to learn new things. In her early 80s she was introduced to a laptop which she quickly learned to navigate and stay connected to her family through Facebook.
Mary had many nieces, and nephews who she loved and enjoyed being part of their lives – Donna (Maurice) (predeceased), Jerry (Ray), Shirley (Henry, predeceased), Lesley (Ed), Ron, Jainy (predeceased), Diane, Shelley(Kelly), Amy(Fred), Annette(Mario), Carol(Stan) (predeceased) and Donnie, Chris (Rose), Jerry (Kim) and Rob, Brandi, Keith, Spencer, Terrie (Ron) and Bob (Bev). She also had many grandnieces and grandnephews that she enjoyed watching grow up to be become beautiful adults. Mary also loved the Root family dearly, especially Sid and Violet.
Mary was frightened to travel by plane therefore most of the time the family would travel to her in Edmonton. However Mary made a few trips or “adventures” to Ontario to visit her daughter and grandchildren. Her daughter, grandson or Sid would drive her across the country by car with her dogs in her 1979 red Volvo. Adventures to remember they were!
Mary leaves her loving daughter and caregiver, Lori (Gilbert Daye), dear grandchildren who she was very proud of and “loved to the moon and back”, Sam (Julia) Courtice and Kelly (Imad) Montreal and her great grandchildren, Dahlia, Celeste and Eleanor. Unfortunately, Mary did not get to meet the newest arrival to the family, her great granddaughter Leila Mary Root Ennasser born October 24, 2018.
Mary is also survived by her brother Gene, (Edmonton), sister-in-law Steffie (Prince George), sister-in-law Ann (Mornville) and her many nieces, grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews.
We were very blessed that we had many years with our beautiful, kind and loving mother and grandmother and grateful for the people that supported and cared for her during her life journey. A heartfelt thank you to Mary’s godsend Abe, and her nieces Shelley and Amy because of them Mary was able to live independently in her home for many of her later years. A special thanks to Sid, who in 2014 drove Mary and Mitzy, her dog, across the country to live with her daughter Lori and Gilbert in Halifax. Thanks to Debbie for the wonderful care she provided for Mary over the past couple of years. And to all our friends and collegues who supported us through the difficult times, Hilary, Carole, Violet, Michelle, Norma and David to name a few, a big thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We also want to recognize and thank Dr. MacKnight and Dr. Biddulph for their compassionate care.
Mary is deeply missed but many but knowing she is at peace with her late and loving “Momma”,” Poppa”, sister Gloria and husband provides comfort. Cremation has taken place. Mary’s family will be planning a memorial to honour her in the future.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Muzyshyn August 28 1926 October 16 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia