Mary was a lifetime resident of Fort Frances, living the majority of her life in the family home on Crowe Ave. She moved to Shevlin Towers later in life where she lived for many years. After a fall left her unable to manage without assistance, she moved to Rainycrest Home for the Aged where she spent her last years.
Mary was born on May 7, 1925 to Nettie and Mike Demianiw. She had one older brother, John, who she was very proud of and looked up to as the consummate “big brother’.
Mary had a wonderful memory and a flair for numbers. She spent her entire working career as a bookkeeper. She started working at Henry Motors straight out of high school and worked there for many years until her brother sold the business. She then worked at Clinic Pharmacy for several years followed by several enjoyable years working for Thompson’s Distributing until her retirement at age 65.
Mary was a lifetime member of St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church with most of those years spent singing in the choir. She truly enjoyed singing and loved music in general. She played the violin in her youth, sang with Diane Maxey’s Choraliers and was a member of the Rainycrest Choir. She particularly enjoyed singing in Ukrainian. She was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage and was an active member of the Ukrainian community throughout her life. Mary was a member of St. Anna’s Ukrainian Women’s Association and the Ukrainian Literary Society. She helped contribute to the many delicious meals and caterings which were such an important part of Fort Frances’s history.
In her younger years, Mary loved to travel and each winter she was eager to travel to a warmer climate. Family and friends loved hearing of her adventures and seeing her photos upon her return. She also loved puzzles, playing scrabble, playing badminton, and participating in her weekly bowling league, which she did well into her seventies.
Although Mary had no children of her own, she was often looked upon as a second mother to Judy, Paul and Nancy, her nieces and nephew. Mary never lacked for energy, and she often swam, biked and hiked with the Demianiws’ as they grew up, creating memories that will be cherished forever. She was a strong woman, fiercely independent, and had a feistiness about her that she retained even as her health declined.
Mary was always a huge part of the Demianiw family. She was present for every occasion and every holiday. She was the primary caregiver for her father in the family home right up until his passing at the age of 99. She was a favourite Aunt, Great Aunt and friend. She enjoyed watching her great nieces and nephews grow up and while she was able, had them over for sleepovers which Paul’s kids always looked forward to. The summer trip to pick the apples off Mary’s tree was an annual family ritual.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, her brother John in 2010 and sister-in-law Mary in 2007.
She is survived by her nieces Judy (Gord) McCabe, Nancy (Jim) Rogers and nephew Paul Demianiw. She is also survived by great nieces and nephews Evan McCabe, Graham Rogers, Megan (Rogers) Guzzell, Jessika Rogers and Natasha, Marissa, Andrea and Mark Demianiw.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in July when family are present.
Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, c/o Ann Wood, 242 Sixth Street East, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 1B3 or to Riverside Health Care - Rainycrest Longterm Care Special Unit, 110 Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, P9A 2B7.
Rest in peace Mary. You will be forever in our hearts
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