MARY CECILIA LOTECKI

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MARY CECILIA LOTECKI Mary Cecilia Lotecki (nee Galka) went to her Eternal Rest on Monday, October 14 at the age of 92 at the Health Sciences Centre surrounded by family. Mary was born February 2, 1921 in Walkleyburg, MB the fifth of nine children. Her children: Joe (Donna) Kevin (Andrea), Kerry (Jasen) Cole and Jack; Tom (Norma) Heather (Erik) Oliver and Sarah, Ryan, Shannon (John) Jacob and Julia; Rosemarie Kennedy (Shawn) Tami (Marville), Kristine, Finnley, Jessica (Craig); Theresa Ronson (Dave) Christopher (Katherine), Gillian (Stephen); Ed (Patty) Ashley (Mert), Carina, Deidre (Joel), Brendan; Vicky Rombough (Brent) Jared, Travis; Erica (Evan) and Matthew (Chelsea), children of deceased son, Ted, and Shawna Mason. Her surviving siblings are Charlie, Sophie, Ed, and Walter Galka. She had many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by Paul, her beloved husband of 54 years, parents Joseph and Rozalia Galka, siblings, John Galka, Stan Galka, Amelia Schieberl, and her twin, Walter, who died in infancy. Mary was baptized February 23, 1921 at St. Stanislaus Parish in East Selkirk. One of her fond memories was the priest coming to their home to celebrate Mass until St. Theresa's church was built across the road from their farm in Walkleyburg. Mom's faith was the foundation of her life. She trusted in God to guide her and strengthen her throughout her life and was a witness of this to many. She always spoke fondly of her years growing up on the farm and built life-long relationships with many of her neighbours. Mary learned many skills of farming that served her well in her future life. Mary attended Bright Star School till grade eight and one of her favourite activities was playing baseball. In later life, the World Series became a very fond interest of hers. Mary met the love of her life, Paul, and after a very short courtship both knew this was the one'. They were married June 5, 1948 at St. Theresa's church. Their love grew and blossomed working through the many challenges they encountered with mutual love, respect and understanding. They farmed in Highland Glen for 13 years. Mary said it was a lot of work but she loved being there, with her husband, working side by side - milking cows, hoeing the endless rows of garden, tending the chickens, cooking a million meals, along with having seven children in ten years! She was a busy lady and many can attest to her very quick pace which she maintained until near the end of her life. The love and care she had for her husband and children was unconditional and laid a very positive foundation for us as we grew. They moved to Garson in 1960 where their children could be closer to school and church. The land was better for farming (and no river running behind the house!). Paul had a major heart attack in 1967. The load she carried was very heavy with a sick husband and most of the children still at home. Her faith was truly tested but she trusted and made it through. Paul had bypass surgery in 1979 and this brought some normalcy back their lives. As her children married, Mary's life was very much enriched. She thrived on having family gatherings, cooking her specialty perogies and apple pie, but what she really loved was having a "full house" of children and spouses, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Her family was her life and the more the merrier. Mary saw an airplane fly overhead when she was about 25 years old and thought one day she was going to go on that plane. She and Paul started to travel in the 1970s, the highlight being a trip to Hawaii in 1983 - it was their second honeymoon. They went once more to Hawaii before Paul died. Mary continued to travel on vacations and pilgrimages, including Poland, England, Guadalupe, France, Italy, Israel and, last year, PEI to see Anne whom she had read about in her childhood. Mary and Paul also spent time with family out at Albert Beach at their children's cottage. Paul and Mary moved to Winnipeg in 2002. A short while later Mary's soul mate passed away. This was a tremendous loss for her and she missed him until the end of her life. They were such kindred spirits that a part of her was gone. But Mary carried on, eventually, moving to the Fort Garry Rotary Villa in 2003. She was easily able to walk to St. Vital parish, where she attended Mass most days, joined the CWL, got involved in pro life work and setting up for Mass on Wed at the Rotary. She walked to Tim's and met with the "Morning Glories". Mary walked everywhere in the neighbourhood over the next 10 years, often covering two to three miles a day into her 90s. The spring in her step was still there. She made many new friends over the course of these 10 years offering a hug and a smile unconditionally. She got to be known as the lady who walked fast and gave out hugs. She was always up to an outing and needed very little notice, to the point where one needed to phone ahead to ensure she was home. Although Mary now lived in Winnipeg, she enjoyed going to Garson and meeting with her old friends. Mary has had cancer for the past couple of years. She remained positive and tried to make the best of the situation with a smile and very little discussion about the issue. The past couple of months were most difficult physically but still she continued to smile and trust in God's Divine Providence for her. Mary wanted to say thank you to Dr. Chris Turner for his care of her and Paul over the past 20 years. Thank you to the staff at GH4 at the Health Sciences Centre for their care and compassion over the past two weeks and to all who came to visit Mom and to pray with her, as well as, her dear friends at the Rotary Villa and St. Vital parish for their friendship. Prayers will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel (1442 Main Street) Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Timothy's Parish (135 John Forsyth Rd) Saturday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a reception in the church hall. Interment will take place at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery in Garson. Donations in Mary's memory may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Garson, MB. Moms motto was to give someone a smile, a hug, and add joy to their life. "There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love." (1Cor13:13) Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You. 204-586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 17, 2013