TOMINUK Mary

DECEMBER 9TH, 1922 – MAY 7TH, 2013
We say good-bye to Anna Mary (Knoch) Tominuk who passed away at the age of 90 on May 7th in Lethbridge, Alberta. Mary was born in the hamlet of Bonnya, Somogy, Hungary and immigrated to Canada with her family in 1927 at age five. The family moved to southern Alberta to a farm near Whitney Siding close to Lethbridge.
Mary grew up the middle child of a family of seven siblings and for the past couple decades she demonstrated her place as a central axis in the family by phoning each of her siblings, or later on, one of their family members, each Sunday. This dedication kept the family, which is now spread throughout the three western provinces, in touch through these weekly visits. We will all miss her cheery good mornings and occasional funny stories during our weekly visits.
In April 1953 Mary married Steve Tominuk and they moved to the Alberta/Montana border crossing of Carway. There they became dedicated partners in building a successful tourist business which later became a duty-free store. It was a very busy lifestyle in which to raise and educate their two children. Mary enjoyed the people she met who stopped to buy refreshments and purchase some of her fine gift wares. Mary and Steve retired in 1991 and moved to Lethbridge.
Over the years somehow Mary had time to indulge her creative and artistic skills when she learned to do the art of pysanky. Pysanky is the term used for a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs. Even this artistic endeavor was a partnership, with Mary’s husband Steve preparing the eggs to become the canvas for her colourful and unique designs. It is the custom of those who do pysanky not to keep their work but to offer it as a gift to relatives and friends. Many of Mary’s family and friends treasure one of her beautiful eggs. On display it will remain a valuable tribute to her as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
Mary was a keen business woman throughout her life. Even though she was well into her senior years she embraced the computer age and shared the experience with her grandsons who helped set up her systems for business and communication. She also loved music and even with failing eyesight worked to continue her enjoyment by using enhanced equipment which allowed her to play a piano keyboard.
Mary is survived by her son, River (Carolyn) of Nova Scotia and grandsons Peter Maxwell and Marcus Addison Brathwaite of Calgary and Sylvanus Tominuk Low of Nova Scotia. She is also survived by her brothers: Henry and Frank (Emma) Knoch, her sister, Elsa (Michael) Cane, her sister-in-law, Dorothy Knoch, son-in-law Ferdinand Brathwaite and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Steve in December 2010, her daughter Annette Marie, her parents John and Margaret Knoch, her sister Katie Thompson, brothers John and Conrad Knoch, sisters-in-law: Elizabeth, Kathleen, Sophie and Margaret Knoch and brother-in-law, Martin Thompson.
Friends may meet the family on Tuesday, May 14th, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS FUNERAL HOME, 703-13 Street North, Lethbridge.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 15th at 2:00 pm at the CHRIST TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 416-12 Street South, Lethbridge with Rev. Jim Kraus officiating.
In lieu of flowers you can make a Gift in Memory of Mary Tominuk to the CNIB, 100 – 410 Stratford Drive South Lethbridge, AB T1J 2L2 or by going on line http://www.cnib.ca/ – click make a gift and follow the prompts.
Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home Ltd.
703-13 Street North
Lethbridge, AB T1H 2T2
Phone: (403) 382-3601
Fax: (403) 320-1492
Email: condolences@generationsfh.ca
Sign guest book: www.generationsfh.ca