Obituary of MARIA GORNIK

MARIA GORNIK (nee Urycki) 1927 – 2014 Mary passed away peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2014, at the age of 87 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Elizabeth (George Orle) and her son Jerry (Cathey); two granddaughters, Nicole and Megan; her companion Stefan Mazur; her nieces, Renata, Samantha and Grace; nephew Krzystof; sister Helena; brother Jozef; and numerous other family in Canada and Poland. As a young girl during the Second World War, she was taken from her family and forced to work in Germany. At the end of the war, she made the difficult and courageous decision not to return to her home in occupied Poland and relocated to Canada to pursue a better life. Possessing a strong faith, (long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League) she never let her difficult times be an excuse for not living a happy and full life. Lovingly married for 48 years to Tadeusz (Ted), Mary was a caring wife, patient and accepting mother and an overjoyed grandmother who possessed a remarkably strong hug. She was blessed with a remarkably close group of family and friends that gathered not only to celebrate life but to help make life’s tedious and difficult tasks enjoyable. Mary’s home was always full of plants and even a twig stuck in mud would grow for her. She enjoyed tending to her garden and turning its harvest into a pantry full of preserves. A wonderful cook who knew all her recipes by heart, she felt joy in being able to cook and host large family dinners or special celebrations. Her cakes and pastries were always on hand and ready for anyone who stopped by. In her later years, Mary was blessed to find her companion Steve who graciously cared for her and made her happy. The family would also like to thank the caring and compassionate staff of the Seven Oaks Geriatric Rehabilitation ward and of the St. Joseph’s Residence for their dignified care and affection. Viewing and Rosary will take place on Wednesday, August 20th at 9:15 a.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2W2L8 followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery.