ESSAR - Mary was born in the Drobot District of Saskatchewan on Monday June 3, 1935. She was the eldest child born to George and Dora (nee Chobotar) Wasylowich. Mary attended Drobot School and helped on the family farm with her siblings, John, Audrey, and Steve. Mary met Severin at a dance at the Drobot Hall. One dance led to courtship and then Mary and Severin were united in Holy Matrimony on October 12, 1958. They were married for 57 years. Mary and Severin initially lived in Canora where their first child, MarieAnn was born followed by Jerry. They then moved to Yorkton where they had 3 more children, Shelley, Gayle and Don. Mary was a stay at home mom where she managed the home and raised the children. She cooked, baked and maintained a huge garden that was then canned or frozen for winter use. Mary enjoyed entertaining and constantly asked, “Are you hungry?” She loved to talk with anybody and share a cup of her favourite drink, coffee. She welcomed and fed everyone that knocked on their door. She enjoyed playing cards, listening and dancing to Ukrainian music. She also enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She was always smiling and there wasn’t a person who didn’t instantly like her. She had boundless energy and was always full of life. She was tiny but mighty. Mary had a very strong faith and led by example by having God in her life. As her family grew, she welcomed with open arms each son-in-law and daughter-in-law. As the grandchildren arrived, Lisa, Nathan, Riley, Jesse, Nicholas, Mackenzie, Jared and Sarah, she really loved having them around and never tired of them. She was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Lexi and Rett. She was very proud to be a great-grandma, grandma and baba. She very much loved having her family come for a meal or just a visit. Her door was always open. She enjoyed every minute she spent with them. She was proud of each one of her children and grandchildren. Mary was an excellent cook and didn’t need a cookbook. She excelled at all of the Ukrainian dishes and she could make an amazing pot of soup out of any ingredients. Her children would always be calling her asking for a specific recipe she used to make. She was very independent and lived on her own for 6 years after Severin passed away in 2016. She found new friends and activities when she moved to Yorkton Crossing in July 2022. She passed away peacefully with Shelley by her side on June 2, 2023 one day before her 88th birthday. She is predeceased by her infant son, Dale; her parents, George and Dora; her mother-in-law Maria; one brother and one sister, George and Sophie in infancy; an infant grandson, Stephen; and her beloved husband, Severin. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten by her loving children and grandchildren: MarieAnn (Peter), Lisa (Alex), Nathan (Grace); Jerry (Daria), Nicholas, Mackenzie; Shelley (Cameron), Riley (Amanda), Lexi and Rett, Jesse (Teawna); Gayle (Thomas); Don, Jared and Sarah. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Reverend Father Rodion Luciuk serving as the Celebrant. Mr. Robert Rohr served as the Cantor with Sarah Essar serving as the Crossbearer. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Jerry Essar, Mackenzie Essar, Jared Essar, Riley Farrell, Jesse Farrell, and Nicholas Essar serving as the Pallbearers. Kopan’s Funeral Service is honoured to have been entrusted with funeral arrangements. www.kopans.online 306-783-0099