Mary Helen Kurus

Mary Kurus, nee Buchowski of Toronto, Ontario passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at the age of 83. She was born November 25, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario. Mary attended St. Joe’s Wellesley and completed her post-secondary degree in fashion at Ryerson University. After working for several years as the Head National Buyer for women’s fashion for Hudson’s Bay Company in Montreal, Mary went on to serve as a Senior Project Manager for CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency), acting as an overseas representative of the Canadian government in collaboration with Canadian Embassies in Thailand, Philippines, Thailand and (her favorite) Nepal, as well as in Barbados. She was responsible for the planning and execution of a variety of development projects ranging from infrastructure, such as schools, water supply and treatment, foreign student scholarships for education in Canada, and social development programs, such as women’s economic initiatives. Her contribution in this work was lifechanging for many people and communities.

After retiring from CIDA in 2006, she formed and operated a personal business of energy Healing, and was an avid traveler and painter.

Mary joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1972, becoming one of Canada’s most senior and longest serving members, celebrating her 53rd “birthday” in November of 2026. She was a valued member of the Friendly Group in Toronto, regularly contributing the perspective of her life experience in sobriety to the group, and especially newcomers, and where she sponsored other alcoholics in fulfillment of the 12th Step, and commitment to service as part of her recovery. Before returning home to Toronto from Ottawa in 2023 she served as the Chair of Ottawa Area Intergroup. She will be greatly missed in the Fellowship.

Mary is survived by her brother Ray (Kathleen), nephews Ron Uba Jr., Bryan Uba, Robert Matys, Ken Matys, Justin Buchowski, Brian Buchowski and niece Natasha D’Annibale. Mary is predeceased by her father Gus Buchowski, mother Stephanie Buchowski (Zawada), sisters Lydia, Christine and Diane, and nephew Raymond Matys