Obituary of Mary OSINSKI

Following a very brief illness, Mary Osinski, beloved wife of Felix Osinski, passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Mary Hodowanec was born April 8, 1927 in Solotwina, Ukraine, where she spent her childhood years along with her two sisters and brother. In 1942, Marys life changed forever when, at age fifteen, she was captured by German soldiers who sent her to Germany to work on a farm and later in a shoe factory until the end of the war. After liberation, Mary left Germany and found her way to England, where she met her future husband, Felix Osinski. The two were married in 1948 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. In 1952, Mary and Felix, along with their young son, Zenek, boarded the S.S. Atlantic for a new life in Canada. Knowing little of Canadian geography, they pointed to the middle of the map and chose Manitoba as their new home, making their way by train to Winnipeg, then Virden, where Felix found work on a dairy farm. After a few years, Mary and Felix relocated to Brandon, where they worked and welcomed two more children, Rose and Joe, to their family. Mary worked hard throughout her life at various restaurants in Brandon and then for many years at Brandon University in housekeeping until she retired. She was an involved member of St. Hedwigs Catholic Church and the Sokol Hall in Brandon and had many friends in the community. Mary loved gardening, flowers and Ukrainian culture. After retiring, Mary and Felix fulfilled their dream of living in British Columbia when they moved to a beautiful property in Creston, B.C. in 1998. They spent twelve wonderful years there, enjoying the mild winters and the opportunity to grow a bounty of cherries and other fruits. Marys greatest concern was her family, making sure they were well-fed on her amazing perogies and cabbage rolls and her endless supply of love. This love and concern extended to her siblings and their families who continued to live in Ukraine. Mary enjoyed having opportunities to host family members who visited from Ukraine and she made two trips back to her birthplace to reconnect with her family there. In early October, 2010, Mary and Felix embarked on a new adventure, moving to Calgary to be closer to family and they had been settled for a mere three weeks when she suddenly took ill. Mary was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Felix, son Zenek (Krystyna) Osinski of London, Ontario, daughter Rose (Bill) Halase of Calgary, son Joe (Judy) Osinski of Calgary, grandchildren Anna and Peter Osinski of London, Ontario and grandsons Paul and Andrew Osinski of Calgary, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends elsewhere in North America and Ukraine. Mary was predeceased by her parents and siblings in Ukraine. Relatives and Friends are invited to Prayers and tributes at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME, 1708 16th Avenue N.W. (across from the North Hill Shopping Centre, Calgary) Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE (POLISH) CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2111 Uxbridge Dr. N.W., Calgary. Graveside Service will follow at Edenbrook Memorial Gardens.