Mary Gertrude Gunia

Mary Gunia (Mus) was born in Fox Valley in 1917, the youngest child in a family of seven. When she was seven years old her mother passed away and Mary was raised primarily by her sister Agnes. The family moved to Cedoux soon after and it was there that she grew up and received her education. Cedoux was a tight knit Polish community and she met Edwin "Pete" Gunia. They married November 16, 1942 and rented farm land from until 1950 when they purchased the Red and White Store. Running the general store gave both the opportunity to make close friendships which lasted a life time.

The Gunia home was often a bee hive of activity as friends and family gathered weekends to visit. Mary was well known as a fabulous cook and with short notice put out meals of cabbage rolls, pierogies, homemade sausage and homemade bread, wild mushroom gravy and vegetables fresh from her garden. Often desert was one of her wonderful cinnamon buns or apple pies, a favourite of her granddaughters. When they retired, Pete and Mary moved to Weyburn and for the first time in her life she enjoyed the big city comforts not available in rural Saskatchewan. They lived on Dieppe Street until Pete passed away 19 years ago. Mary then moved to an apartment and lived there until she was 92.

Mary was a devoted mother. She truly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Joss and Torrie, and more recently with her great grandchildren, calling Reese a munchkin and laughing as pulled toys from the toy box at Crocus Villa where she lived for the past two years.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Jan Mus and Franciska Siwirza; her husband, Edwin “Pete” Gunia; brother, Joseph, John, Frank and Ignacy; sisters, Agnes and Katie and great grandson, Gage Smith.

She is survived by her son, Larry Gunia (Crystal) of Salmon Arm, BC; grand daughters, Jocelin Gunia (Terry Martin) of Radville, SK and Torrie Gunia of Regina, SK; great grandchildren, Reese Gunia, Amanda Martin, Courtney Martin and Jordyn Martin as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.

A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Father Gerry Bauche celebrating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Prayers were said on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 7:00 PM from Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

Pallbearers were: David Leck, Dennis Mus, Glenn Tollefson, Jerry Goski, Terry Martin and Glen Istace.

Donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Weyburn Family Place or Humane Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, SK.