Mary Hryb

It is with profound sorrow we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother (Baba) Mary Hryb, aged 93, at Pioneer Ridge, December 23, 2020. Mary (Marika) was born October 20, 1927 in, Bohorodchany, Ivano-Frankiysk Oblast, Ukraine, the daughter of Myhalo and Eustena Romanyshak.

Growing up near the Carpathian Mountains, Mary and her young sister Paraskovia learned to prepare traditional Ukrainian dishes and embroider intricate tapestries. Her exquisite art pieces adorn her home for everyone to admire. In her eighties, Mary delighted her family with drawing captivating Ukrainian scenes in vivid colours, attesting to an innate artistic talent.

In 1940 when Mary was 12 years old, her father died leaving her mother to take care of them and the family home. Earlier that same year, older brothers Myhola and Dmytro were conscripted into the military leaving their mother and siblings to manage on their own. The resilience and perseverance she exhibited during her brothers’ absence prepared her for the formidable challenges soon to come.

The year 1943 proved to be forever life-changing. Deemed a potential Eastern worker (Ostarbeiter) Mary was apprehended by retreating German forces with hundreds of other young girls and transported to Germany to work on farms and factories throughout the country.

Several weeks after her placement, she met and fell in love with John, a dashing young man 5 years her senior, who had also been taken against his will from Ukraine two years earlier. They married in the autumn of 1945 and immigrated to Canada in 1949 to start a new life with their two young sons Michael and Willie. The birth of Lajo/Walter in Canada in 1950 rounded off our tightly knit family.

Mary was generous to a fault with family, friends and strangers. At times we tried to council her to be more careful in her kindness and compassion for people she did not really know, but characteristically dismissed us, knowing they needed help. Of course, she was ‘always right’, a true grand matriarch by any definition. Her quips and sayings were priceless and will be fondly remembered.

Christmas and Easter Ukrainian feasts were remarkable with every imaginable Ukrainian dish spread on what seemed like a ‘mile long’ table. Her ability to do this all on her own was ‘mind boggling’. For recreation, she enjoyed her visits to Grande Portage Casino with husband John. The car trip was always an excursion they looked forward to, where winning at her favourite slot machines was extraordinary.

Coming to Canada with limited resources, nurturing her family and succeeding in a new country were Mary’s proudest accomplishments. Mary was employed at the Star Café, Waverly and Prince Arthur Hotels before retiring in 1992. She loved growing her vegetable garden, enjoyed baking and entertaining those who visited her home. Her grandchildren were beyond precious giving them her unconditional devotion. Mary’s happy disposition and inward and outward beauty were a hallmark of her exceptional life.

Mary was predeceased by her father Myhalo, mother Eustena, infant son Jerry, brothers Myhalo, Dmytro and her beloved husband, John (Ivan). She is survived by sons, Michael (Christine), Willie (Lee), Lajo, grandchildren Kaiti (Mark), Christeann (Jeff), and David. She is also survived by sister Paraskovia Romanyshak.

Mary will be missed beyond measure as a person who gave her family nothing but pure love … a true testament to a life well-lived. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Pioneer Ridge, Plaza 4 for their wonderful care during the past two years where Mom was a resident. Also, a special thank you to Peng You for his visits to Mom’s home before she moved to Pioneer Ridge for the inspiring Tai Chi sessions she and her sister enjoyed immensely.

Mary was a long-time member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration, but due to COVID 19 regulations a Private Funeral Service will be held in the Blake Funeral Chapel on Thursday, December 31st at 10:30 am. Interment to follow in the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. Should friends wish to watch the service it will be live streamed on the Blake Funeral Chapel Facebook Page. www.facebook.com/BlakeFuneralChapel/.

“Gone from us that smiling face,
The cheerful pleasant ways,
The heart that won so many friends,
In bygone, happy days.
A life made beautiful by kindly deeds,
A helping hand for others’ needs.
To a beautiful life,
Comes a happy end,
She died as she lived,
Everyone’s friend”.