Obituary of Mary Horbal

Mary Horbal (nee Skipchak) After a brief illness, Mary Horbal passed away on August 9, 2011 at the Riverview Health Centre. Born on September 22, 1926 in Western Ukraine, Mary came to Canada with her mother at the age of three and joined her father in Hafford, Saskatchewan. The family then moved to St. Andrews, Manitoba and eventually settled in Winnipeg's North End, where Mary lived the rest of her life. Mary is survived by Michael, her beloved husband of almost 61 years, her only son Russell, daughter-in-law Pat and most precious granddaughter Julie. She is also survived by her sister Sonia and brother-in-law Bob Whincup, and his children Kim and Colin. Mary also leaves behind Michael's family: sisters-in-law Stella Demedash, Kay Zawortny and Jarice Hendricks, brother-in-law Tony Hendricks, sister-in-law Phyllis Horbal and many nephews and nieces. Mary was predeceased by her father Peter, mother Anne, brother John (in infancy), in-laws John and Tekla Horbal, sister-in-law Mary Demedash and brothers-in-law Steve Horbal, Steve Demedash, Bill Demedash, and George Zawortny. Mary loved family gatherings, getting together with her and Mike's many friends, playing cards, baking and cooking. She was well-known for her cakes and dainties, which were always generously shared with others, and was also famous for having "the world's most well-stocked deep freeze" with an endless supply of perogies, cabbage rolls and snacks. She cherished the memories and life-long friendships she formed with all her friends and family, as well as the ladies of the Eaton's Mail Order group - "the Sewing Circle" - whom she befriended more than 50 years ago. Despite their busy and social life, Mary and Mike always found time for faith and were long time parishioners of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. Mary's loved ones would especially like to express their heartfelt thanks to their family and friends for the support and prayers through these recent, very trying times. They would also like to thank the staff on Riverview Health Centre's 3-East Palliative Care Ward for their wonderful care and compassion during Mary's brief stay. Divine Liturgy in celebration of Mary's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday August 12, 2011 at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Avenue, with Rev. Fr. Bohdan Lukie, C.Ss.R. officiating. Interment will follow at Glen Eden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Riverview Health Centre, or the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. Vichnaya Pam'Yat - Memory Eternal