Passed away peacefully on Tuesday Sept. 12, 2017 at the F. J. Davey Home at the age of 89. Mary is now reunited with her beloved husband Steve and her dearly loved son Dr. Dennis Tarasuk. Loving mother of Irene DeLuca (Ken), Vickie Zuke (Michael), and Steve Tarasuk (Anna). Cherished Baba of Trista (Matt), Terry, Jessica, Matthew, Paul (Greta), Lauren and Alyssa. Mary is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack Tarasuk. She was predeceased by brother-in-law Mike Tarasuk and sister-in-law Mary Comer (Ed). She will fondly be remembered by nieces, nephews, and life-long friends. Born in Sioux Lookout, the only child of Ignatius and Irene Wasylynuk and raised during the Depression and Second World War, she spoke fondly of her childhood which included train trips to Winnipeg to study violin and piano. She moved to Sault Ste. Marie to attend Business College and worked at the Laboratory of Insect Pathology until her marriage. With our father having passed away at an early age, mom became everything to us. She filled her role as mother with our admiration and respect. She returned to work to support her family as a secretary for the Separate School Board until she retired. Mom enjoyed her grandchildren, camp at Island Lake, garden in Bay View, knitting, crocheting, and travelling. She was a volunteer secretary for the Kiwanis Music Festival and a long-time parishoner at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church where she spent Thursday mornings helping to make perogies and cabbage rolls. Proud of her heritage, mom happily shared Ukrainian traditions with her children and grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Road 705-945-7758) on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral mass at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Saturday September 16, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Jerry Lazoryk officiating. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society or St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church would be appreciated by the family. A special thank you to the caregivers and staff of 1st floor Driftwood for the care and compassion shown to our mother.