Mary Strutynski

Mary Strutynski, of Norquay and formerly of Hudson Bay, SK, passed away at the Norquay Health Centre on November 13, 2015 at the age of 97 years. Mary and her twin brother, Fred, were born October 12, 1918 in the Theodore District to Evan and Anastasia (Zelesny) Wasylowich. Mary grew up in a family with nineteen brothers and sisters. She attended and achieved her grade eight education at Chernowitz school. After completing school, Mary began working for farm families in the area. She met George Odowichuk and they were married October 17, 1940. They initially lived on the Odowichuk homestead and later moved to Buchanan. In 1957, they relocated to Hudson Bay where George began working with his brother-in-law, Nick Gulutzan, at a body shop. George passed away in 1959, leaving Mary with three young children: Jeanette, Laurette and Dave. Mary obtained employment at the Hudson Bay Beaver Lumber for a while, then the Robinson Store and eventually at the McLeod’s store, where she continued to work for eighteen years. Mary later met and married Steve Strutynski and they enjoyed several years together until Steve’s passing in March 1996. Mary became a resident of the Norquay Health Centre, where she continued to reside until her passing. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Mary was predeceased by her parent, Evan and Anastasia; husband, George Odowichuk; husband, Steve Strutynski; and sixteen of her siblings: Matt, Bill, George, Nickalas, Katrina, Eva, Dora, Andy, Peter, Annie, Fred, Elizabeth, Steve, Bessie, Rosie and Nicky. She is survived by her children: Jeanette (Doug), Laurette (Keith) and Dave (Debbie); her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sisters, Kae of South Surrey, BC and Victoria of Two Hills, AB; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members. A Prayer Service was held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora. Funeral Services commenced Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Mary Strutynski.