Passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, March 17, 2016, just before her 92nd birthday. Mary bravely came to Canada from Czechoslovakia when she was 13 and didn’t even speak English. Here she met her husband Walter shortly before he went to war. Walter did come back to her, and together they had one son. Mary is survived by her son Edward Balaban (Kathy Marziano-Balaban), grandchildren Emily and Jake (Jessica), and one great-grandchild Lola. Over the years, she and Wally built many loving and lasting friendships. A visitation will be held at Barthel Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Barthel Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in St. Clement’s Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Preston Legion. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
