Mary Doreen Vankka

It is with profound sadness the family of Mary Doreen Vankka announces her passing on April 2, 2026 at the age of 91. She was predeceased by Ken, her devoted husband of 51 years, her parents William and Lena Deley, and her siblings Peter, Carol, Robert, Helen, Richard and John. Mary is lovingly remembered and survived by her four children - Terence (Anne) Vankka, Catherine (David) Pals, Janice (Kevin) Bonnett and David Vankka, her eleven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and her sister Edna LaBelle.

Mary was born on April 9, 1934, in Port Arthur, ON. She grew up in Shabaqua, ON and began her career in nursing in 1952 at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Port Arthur and Westmount Hospital in Fort William, ON. It was while attending a community dance in Finmark that she met Ken whom she married on June 11, 1955. An employment transfer for Ken moved their family to Kamloops, BC in December 1966. Upon moving Mary continued nursing at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops until her retirement in 1978. After Ken’s passing, Mary relocated to Vernon, BC in 2010 to be close to her daughters.

Throughout her lifetime, Mary enjoyed many activities but spending time with family and friends were always her favorite pastimes. She was a caring and devoted mother who was actively involved in her children’s lives from family camping trips and teaching Sunday school to making costumes and helping out with their school events. As friends were important to Mary, she always found time to organize neighborhood potlucks, birthdays and holiday celebrations. With children grown and retirement upon them, Mary and Ken found time to travel, cross country ski, golf and socialize with friends. Later in life Mary continued trying new activities such as choir, square dancing and lawn bowling.

Mary’s vibrant, positive and social personality drew people to her. She had many lifelong friends whom she cared about deeply. She made sure she kept in touch including, without fail, to call and sing happy birthday on the day. She was an exceptionally caring and compassionate person who was loved by those who knew her. Her family was her pride and joy.

The family would like to thank all Mary’s friends who enriched her life beginning with her childhood in Ontario to the wonderful Kamloops group and, more recently, her Vernon friends.

Special thanks to Dr. H. Yacyshyn who took excellent care of Mary for many years, the staff at Vernon Jubilee Hospital 6th floor, and the staff at Kelowna General Hospital CICU.

A celebration of life for Mary will be held on July 3, 2026 at the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home in Vernon, BC. For those wishing to honour Mary’s memory, a donation to the Schubert Centre in Vernon, BC would be very much appreciated.