Mary Kozelko

Mary Kozelko of Winnipeg, MB passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024 at the age of 84 years.

It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Kozelko announces her peaceful passing on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Holy Family Home. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Sam, in 2020. She is survived by her loving family and children John (Darusia), Irene (Carl) and Roman, grandchildren Alexandra, Nicolas, and Timon, Daniel (Hannah), Roxanna (Connor), and Kate, and Adrian and Madelyn (and their mother Karen), and great-grandson, Sammy.

Also mourning her passing are cousins, nieces, and nephews and other extended family in Winnipeg, throughout Canada, the United States, and Ukraine.

Mama (Baba Mia) was born on August 7,1939 to parents Wladyslaw and Helen Swist in Kuty, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine. When World War Two broke out, her father was forced to flee to Poland where he remained until the family was reunited in 1955. Mama, her mother, her aunt, cousin, and grandmother survived very difficult times during and after the war with true grit, perseverance, and clever determination. The women kept the family safe from the perils of war. Mama attended school in her village and developed an affinity for art. She went to art school and continued beautiful, intricate, pysanky, Christmas ornaments and drawings while she was able to throughout her life. Mama was an excellent cook who once her children were grown never seemed able to cook for just two people. She filled our hearts and bellies with traditional Ukrainian food, special treats like honey cookies, cinnamon buns, pies, and “red soup” (borsch) that she lovingly prepared.

Mama immigrated to Canada with her parents in 1957 through the sponsorship of her grandfather, Petro Gaba, who had previously arrived in Canada. Her Dido built the family cottage at Niddrie which was his home while he worked on that stretch of railroad for CN rail.

Mama loved her husband, her family, her flowers, her garden, and spending time at her Glen Bay cottage, and of course, Niddrie. She could make people laugh; she was silly and sassy – she never hesitated to tell you how she felt.

Mama met Tato (Sam) in Winnipeg. They met, and after a brief courtship they married in July 1959. Mama was a homemaker who lovingly raised her three children. She also briefly worked at Holy Family Home in the 1960’s. Baba and Dido were the daily caregivers for Alexandra and doting babysitters for all of their grandchildren.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many healthcare staff for their compassion as they cared for Mama over the years, especially as her health declined and for the support shown to the family. Thanks to Dr. M. Gupta, her personal physician before she entered Holy Family Home and to Drs. Taras and Andrea Babick for their attentive care while at Holy Family Home. We extend our gratitude to Father Bohdan Lukie, Dr. Andrea Babick, and the spiritual care team for their attention to her pastoral needs. And finally, we thank our family and friends for their love and support at this difficult time.

Our Mama and Baba will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace.

Вічна Пам’ять! Христос Воскрес!

Prayers will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Avenue Winnipeg with Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Bashutsky celebrating.

A Private Funeral Liturgy will be held at Blessed Virgin Mary Church with interment to follow in the Holy Family Cemetery.