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Mary Kobelak
In Memory of
Mary
Kobelak (Mykytyzyn)
1934 - 2020
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Obituary for Mary Kobelak (Mykytyzyn)

Mary  Kobelak (Mykytyzyn)
Imagine meeting a lady greeting you with a big smile, a genuine interest in how you are, and by the end of your conversation a hug. Mom was so full of gratitude for her family, friends, and community. She has joined the love of her life. We hope you will laugh, cry and at the end of the story know Mom as we knew her.
Mary was born Mary Mykytyzyn north of Porcupine Plain on the homestead of Nichola and Martha Mykytyzyn on January 29, 1934. She was the second of five children. Mom said they had nothing, but they made their own fun. She got her sense of humor from her mom and the quick wit from her dad. One line that she recited was that if you ever dropped something that made a noise, her dad would say “jump on it and make more noise”.
One of the highlights of her childhood she said was tasting her first orange at the age of 10. In her youth she had a mischievous side, which included hitching up the family oxen and heading over to neighbors when her dad was away. That stopped when her dad arrived home before her one time.
She attended school in High Tor school until age 16. Wanting to avoid an arranged marriage she left home. She found work at Ridgedale, Kinistino and later Melfort. Working as a nanny, housekeeper and cook. It was working for a Provincial Court Judge family in Melfort where she honed her cooking, cleaning, and sewing skills. Mom was faithful in writing home and sending money to help her mom, dad, and younger siblings. This included helping little brother Joe purchase his first car.
One trip home to Porcupine Plain resulted in chance meeting with John Kobelak. Mom said she fell hard for John, proven by her pursing him to the point he stopped dating his current girlfriend. They were married in the fall of 1956 and after a short time in Monte Lake BC, they settled at the farm in Weekes. They raised six children. Though Mary very rarely operated any farm equipment she was very engaged in timing of planting and harvest. Her main priority was the children, the farm animals, sewing, cooking, baking, and gardening. Her greatest gifts among many was her green thumb for gardening, her baking and creative crafts.
Mom was the last of the pioneer women that had six babies in cloth diapers washed by wringer washer and hung to dry on a clothesline. In the later years she accepted the idea of an electric clothes dryer but never purchased an automatic washing machine or dishwasher. Housework and the garden were her fitness center.
After raising her children and retiring from full time farming Mary started to get more involved in the community and enjoying grandchildren. John and she took many trips in Saskatchewan & Manitoba visiting the kids and grandkids. Locally, they enjoyed morning coffees at the Golden Age Club. On the farm her specialty was wheelbarrow rides for the grandkids and spoiling them with pierogis & cinnamon buns. In the community it was the Shand Fair as a volunteer and proud winner of many ribbons for baking, flowers, and artwork.
After John passed in 2008 the Golden Age Club became her Weekes family. There people would see the “little red truck” with the little lady come to town. She would sit with the ladies, sharing pictures and conversation meanwhile straining to hear what the guys were talking about. She loved visiting with everyone, but really liked to her the jokes and teasing by Melvin, Marvin, Glen, Don, Lyle, Tom, Bob, Ken, and others. She loved attending and supporting every event whether it was the soup and sandwich, monthly birthday suppers or curling bonspiel suppers. She so admired those that put on the events knowing how much work it was to volunteer.
In the past decade Mary drove less and relied on others, especially in the winters. Though some suggested she move to town or the city, Mary always had friends willing to help and knew no place could ever be as good as the farm and community. Sophie, Maxine, and later Wendy & Robert would always provide rides. If water was needed or minor “Mary Do’s” she could rely on Marvin, Gerald to deal with skunks, raccoons & even one bear that was on her front steps, Robert for repairs, Gordon to push snow and John Padalec for heavy lifting. Payment was always offered in cash, pierogis or baking.
She was a proud supporter of Weekes businesses. Her heart sank when the Co-op closed, but she was so happy when Carmen and Nikki took over ‘the gas pump’. Thrilled that the Co-op re-opened as the Weekes General store but sank again as it closed at the end of 2019.
Mary was predeceased by her mom & dad, brother Joe, sisters Stella and Rose. She is survived her older sister Ann and children, Georgina (Jim) Elstad of Saskatoon, Julie (Bill) Henderson of Kelowna, Pat Brossart of Lethbridge, Sherry (Anthony Cameron) of Vancouver, Steve (Peggie) of North Carolina and Doreen (Mark) Masterson of Great Falls, Montana. Ten grandchildren and five great children.
Book of Memories
306-278-2202 Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
P.O. Box 524
Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0
Email: blairsfuneralhome@sasktel.net
Blair's Funeral Home
640 Churchill Street
Hudson Bay, SK S0E 1Y0
Email:
Blair's Funeral Home
205 - 1st Avenue West
Kelvington, SK S0A 1W0
Email:
306-278-2202 Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
P.O. Box 524
Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0
Email: blairsfuneralhome@sasktel.net
306-278-2202 Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
P.O. Box 524
Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0
Email: blairsfuneralhome@sasktel.net
Proudly Serving the Communities of Porcupine Plain, Hudson Bay, Kelvington, Prairie River, Mistatim, Peesane, Weekes, Somme, Carragana, Chelan, and Bjorkd