Obituary of Mary Kozak
Mary Kozak passed away peacefully on September 21, 2023 at the age of 97 years old. She was born near Wroxton, Sask. on February 6, 1926 to Philip and Annie Wonitowy.
In 1928, the family moved to Yorkton where Mary attended Victoria School. When she was a small child, she posed as one of the angels being hand painted on the infamous dome above the altar at Saint Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. Mary attended Sacred Heart Academy, and then onto secretarial training in Regina.
Shortly after, she met Harry Kozak who was enlisted with the army and they married on May 19, 1946. After a short stay in Toronto, they made their home in Yorkton, raising their three children, Kenn, Loretta, and Lorraine. Mary and Harry were very active with Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Mary having received her 65 year diamond pin with the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League Branch #2, after holding many executive positions.
She enjoyed playing Wednesday night bridge for close to 70 years, golfing and took up quilting in the early 70s. She took pride that her quilts are on the tables and beds of many friends and family. Mary and Harry also loved travelling with friends to Mexico, Hawaii, cruises and endless bus trips to Nashville, Reno, Texas and Las Vegas.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Harry in 2009, parents, Annie and Phillip ; brother John and Helen Beaverton, Ontario; brother Mike and Eva Yorkton; brother Bill and Christine Yorkton; sister Olga and Matt Oscienny, Regina.
She leaves to mourn her three children. Son, Kenn/Sharon Kozak, Yorkton. (Roslyn/Derek; Jaye, Cohen of Regina); daughter Loretta/Robert Romanko, (Lise/Raphael, Liv; Jill; all of Vancouver, John/Jenn, Eva and Brooke, Vernon BC) and daughter, Lorraine/Jeff Slater (Andrew/Natalie, Evan/Marisa, Ian, Vancouver). Also, one remaining cousin, Edna/Tony Mazur of Yorkton.
The family thanks all those who provided care and compassion from the Yorkton Crossing Retirement Home and most recently, the Yorkton District Nursing Home, Country Meadows Unit. Mary’s life has ended and now her spiritual one begins, as she is reunited with her husband, Harry.
A private family celebration of her life will be held.
