Mary Ciona
1916-05-28 2007-12-14
CIONA - Mary (nee Kalin) passed away peacefully on Friday, December 14, 2007 at the Hafford Special Care Centre, at the age of 91.
Mary was born on a farm north of Hafford, SK on May 28, 1916 and spent her life raising her family, teaching and celebrating community. She attended elementary and high school in Hafford, completing her high school in Saskatoon at Bedford Road Collegiate and then attended Normal School. Mary shared her gift of teaching and her love of learning throughout her life. Even after retiring from teaching, Mary continued to teach Ukrainian language lessons, Ukrainian cooking classes, and Easter egg (pysanky) painting.
Mary wed Mike Ciona in 1938. They made their home on the family farm near Krydor and then moved to Blaine Lake in 1945. In 1960, they built a service station and restaurant. Mary ran the family restaurant for more than ten years. During this time, she also taught part-time at Blaine Lake Composite School. Mary continued to participate in the family business from 1975 to 2003. A dedicated wife and mother, Mary gave of herself to her family and community. She served and received recognition for her leadership ability.
Mary's passion for Ukrainian culture, heritage and traditions led her to regional, provincial and national involvement and recognition, particularly with the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada. Mary received the Blaine Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award and the UCC-SPC Nation Builder Award. Church life was very important to her. Mary lived out her faith by being there for others as a teacher, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
Mary is survived by her children, Natalie (Jim) Deptuck, Bohdan (Diane) Ciona, Andrew (Pat) Ciona, Steven (Iris) Ciona and M.Ted (Christine) Ciona; grandchildren, Evan (Geri) Deptuck, Kathi Bacon, Joelle Ciona, Christine Ciona, Jennifer Ciona (Brad Stover), Melanie Ciona, Dawn Ciona, Andrea Ciona (Jay Michaluk), Michael Ciona, Jessica Ciona; great-grandchildren, Helena and Maxim Deptuck, Olivia and Erica Bacon, Decaide Ciona; brothers, Nick (Natalie) Kalin and Mike Kalin; sister, Olga (Ray) Nikiforuk; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Mike; parents, Fred and Anna Kalin; and brother, John Kalin.
The Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Blaine Lake Composite School Gymnasium. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hafford, SK with Rev. Fr. Taras Udod officiating. Interment Service will take place at the Krydor Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery. Donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Hafford Special Care Centre or the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. Arrangements entrusted to Hawryluk Funeral Home, Blaine Lake, SK. 497-3355
Mary was born on a farm north of Hafford, SK on May 28, 1916 and spent her life raising her family, teaching and celebrating community. She attended elementary and high school in Hafford, completing her high school in Saskatoon at Bedford Road Collegiate and then attended Normal School. Mary shared her gift of teaching and her love of learning throughout her life. Even after retiring from teaching, Mary continued to teach Ukrainian language lessons, Ukrainian cooking classes, and Easter egg (pysanky) painting.
Mary wed Mike Ciona in 1938. They made their home on the family farm near Krydor and then moved to Blaine Lake in 1945. In 1960, they built a service station and restaurant. Mary ran the family restaurant for more than ten years. During this time, she also taught part-time at Blaine Lake Composite School. Mary continued to participate in the family business from 1975 to 2003. A dedicated wife and mother, Mary gave of herself to her family and community. She served and received recognition for her leadership ability.
Mary's passion for Ukrainian culture, heritage and traditions led her to regional, provincial and national involvement and recognition, particularly with the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada. Mary received the Blaine Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award and the UCC-SPC Nation Builder Award. Church life was very important to her. Mary lived out her faith by being there for others as a teacher, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
Mary is survived by her children, Natalie (Jim) Deptuck, Bohdan (Diane) Ciona, Andrew (Pat) Ciona, Steven (Iris) Ciona and M.Ted (Christine) Ciona; grandchildren, Evan (Geri) Deptuck, Kathi Bacon, Joelle Ciona, Christine Ciona, Jennifer Ciona (Brad Stover), Melanie Ciona, Dawn Ciona, Andrea Ciona (Jay Michaluk), Michael Ciona, Jessica Ciona; great-grandchildren, Helena and Maxim Deptuck, Olivia and Erica Bacon, Decaide Ciona; brothers, Nick (Natalie) Kalin and Mike Kalin; sister, Olga (Ray) Nikiforuk; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Mike; parents, Fred and Anna Kalin; and brother, John Kalin.
The Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Blaine Lake Composite School Gymnasium. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hafford, SK with Rev. Fr. Taras Udod officiating. Interment Service will take place at the Krydor Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery. Donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Hafford Special Care Centre or the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. Arrangements entrusted to Hawryluk Funeral Home, Blaine Lake, SK. 497-3355