On Monday, December 23, 2019, Mary passed away peacefully at the age of 84 in the Dryden Regional Health Centre with her family by her side. Mary was born on May 1, 1935 in Horod, Manitoba to Arnold and Tina Lukianchuk.
In 1955, Mary ventured to Ontario by train, getting off in Sioux Lookout, where she worked as an attendant at the Café in the Sioux Lookout Train Station. A few months later, she moved to Dryden, waitressing at the Central Hotel.
Mary met her husband Allan Olson at the July 1st dance in Dryden in 1956. They married the following year on September 7th and had three children, Sigurd, Nola and Linda.
In 1972 Mary and Allan built the Spring Water Trailer Park on the West Arm of Wabigoon Lake, adding the restaurant in 1981. After 21 years at Spring Water it was time for retirement and the business was sold to their daughter Nola and son-in-law, Howard Hill. Retiring to Manitoba allowed them to spend time with Marys’ family still residing there. From 1993-2013 Mary and Allan resided in Brandon, Rapid City, Ninette and Killarney before returning to Dryden in April 2016. During their 20 years in Manitoba they had many visits from their grandchildren who loved going to Minnedosa Beach, golfing in Rapid City and roasting cocktail wieners in the backyard and we can’t forget Saturday TV BINGO! Mary was an exceptional cook and loved having her family together around the table. Mary and Allan enjoyed life in the west, including many Winter Fairs in Brandon and often trying their luck at surrounding casinos. She enjoyed playing cards and prided herself in being a worthy opponent.
Being raised on the farm, Mary was no stranger to hard work. This was evident in the 21 years of building and running the family business and raising their family of which her and Allan are extremely proud. Her strong work ethic was an example to her children.
She is survived by Allan, her husband of 62 years, children, Sigurd (Judy), Nola (Howard Hill) and Linda (Rick McLeod). She is also survived by her grandchildren Bill and Amanda Hill; Zachary, Dayna, Jeremy and Gregory Olson; Christopher (Lisa), Amber and Johnathan Smith and great grandchildren Eleanor and Lawson Hill. Also surviving are sisters, Kay Tokaryk and Lena Melnyk, both in Brandon and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by infant granddaughter, Many Patrick.
The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Heidi and the Alzheimer’s Society for their ongoing guidance and support; to Barb Lindquist and our Home Care Respite providers, your commitment to Mary was very much appreciated; to the dedicated Nurses, Doctors and support staff who treated Mary with kindness and compassion and did so much to make her, and us, comfortable.
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