MARY ADELE DUMANSKI

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MARY ADELE DUMANSKI 1920 - 2017 Mary passed away in the early evening of February 1, 2017 at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home, at the age of 96. Mary was born on December 12, 1920 to Ludwig and Josephine Kimak but always celebrated her christening on the 18th. She grew up in the North End along with her five siblings. Her family had a strong faith in the Catholic Church, attending St. Joseph's Church and was raised to never have idle hands. As a young woman her mom sent her out to work as a domestic and was also employed as a sewer. She married Anthony Dumanski on September 11, 1948 and settled into married life in East Kildonan - on Trent for the first few years and then to their home on Roberta where she lived right up until her 92nd year. Mary excelled at everything a domestic woman should know for the time. If it was made or done by hand she did it with great skill: sewing, crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlepoint, gardening, canning. And of course she was a good cook and baker who knew how to make the most of little when she had to do so. 'Tastes like more - I can't put this little bit away' - even if it was half a pie! Mary and Tony were blessed with four children but suffered the loss of one son as an infant. The other three experienced a good upbringing in Mary's capable hands. At the same time Mary would work evenings and weekends in the catering business to make ends meet. She became an expert in food services and event presentation for the Convention Centre (delighted to serve the Queen), bakeries, catering companies, restaurants, private homes, churches and synagogues, and they knew her by name after 60 years in the business. They enjoyed some travel over the years, visiting Hawaii with her sisters, bus tours across Canada and in later years took regular trips to her daughter's home in Texas. A carton of perogies, koubasa, Old Dutch chips, corn beef and rye bread would take more space than her clothing luggage and the freezer was well stocked again by the time she left. She delighted in entering handicrafts every year at the Red River Exhibition to see how many ribbons she would take. It was a competition with her sister who didn't stand a chance. Mary also bowled with her family as a young girl and continued into her 80s. Again, she was a champion on every team with highest records for everything with a room full of trophies to prove it. As the family grew, her garden was bountiful in veggies and her roses were amazing. She kept everyone fed and loved giving tours. As the need for canning reduced the perennials increased. She had two green thumbs both indoors (loved her orchids) and out and would rescue many sad specimens and bring them back to life. Mary was fiercely independent her entire life and made friends easily in everything she did. After years of walking and bussing she got her driver's license at the age of 52 and then there was really no stopping her. She never missed her bingo or church and volunteered at her church, St. Alphonsus, as a life-long member of the Catholic Women's League. She led an active life up to when she suffered two strokes in October 2013. She was then cared for at Concordia Hospital, Deer Lodge Centre, Misericordia Care Centre and then found her new home for the past three years at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home where she continued to make new friends. Her strength of body, mind, character and spirit carried her into her 96th year. Mary was predeceased by her parents; her husband Anthony: her son Georgie: brothers Paul, Louis (Josie) Kimak, sisters Anne, Kay and Teresa Kimak; her grandson Stephen Sawchuk. She is survived by daughter Donna Hayward, grandsons David and Christopher Dueck; son Edward (Daryl) Dumanski, granddaughter Kyla and husband Jan Schouten; daughter Susan (Jeff) Sawchuk, grandson Kyle; special niece Janice (Randall) Gray; nieces and nephews. Our thanks to the great care and personal attention from staff at Donwood given to Mary for her last few years. According to her wishes Mary has been cremated and will join her husband Tony at Glen Eden Funeral Home. A short service will be held at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should friends and family wish, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111
Publish Date: Feb 11, 2017

MARY ADELE DUMANSKI Mary Dumanski passed away on February 1, 2017 at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home at the age of 96. Long obituary to follow on Saturday, February 11, 2017. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

Publish Date: Feb 4, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2017