It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother Maria Schafer on February 25, 2020 with family by her side at West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni.
Preceded by her husband of 65 years Jakab on December 22, 2015, Maria is survived by her two sons: Gabor (Patti), Zoltan and daughter Carol (John) all of Port Alberni and eight grandchildren: Trevor, Natalie, Stefanie, Isaac, Malika, Kyla, Tyren and Damon and four great grandchildren: Keeley, Kendall, Jarret and Paxton.
Maria was born at Egerfarmos, Hungary in 1931 and immigrated to Canada along with her husband Jakab and Son Gabor in December of 1956 during the revolution, landing by boat in St John New Brunswick on January 4, 1957 from Italy. They settled at Port Alberni in early 1957 and were taken in by the Charnell and Carr families to help them feel welcome to the community and to find employment as well as a home to raise their family.
Maria was self- employed and owned Maria Hairstyling operating out of the home for close to 50 years. Maria was a kind and loving person a devoted family person and made a lasting impression on everyone that knew her. Her passion was her hairdressings, the friendships lasting a lifetime from the shop downstairs, her garden of roses, geraniums, tulips, love of carnations as well as the early days spend at Sproat Lake Landing, Osoyoos , trips back to Hungary as well as Hawaii and Mexico with family. She always had time to cook for the family, care for her children, grandchildren and never forgot were she came from during a difficult time to start a new life here in Canada with her family. A member of the Nanaimo Hungarian Society Club she enjoyed the many grape festivals, dinners, events and dancing the night away at the club on several occasions over the years.
A Celebration of Life for Maria will be held on Sunday March 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm at 2859 Carmichael Crescent Port Alberni 250-723-7978 In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Association of BC 5060 Argyle Street Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1V4 or West Coast General Hospital 3949 Port Alberni Hwy, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 4S1
REST IN PEACE MOM
