SKRETTING Mary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, grandmother and great grandmother Mary Skretting. She passed away peacefully at the age of 95, on Monday, January 13, 2014 at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre. She will be lovingly remembered by her children; Ken (Josie) Skretting of Cranbrook, B.C., Jean (Jim) Fritz of Fraser Lake, B.C., Allan (Patti) Skretting of Lethbridge, A.B., Stan (Linda) Skretting of Duncan, B.C. and son-in-law Ken Nyhoff of Lethbridge, A.B., 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Hans of 57 years, her parents Peter and Elizabeth Dyck, her daughter Linda Nyhoff, sisters Helen Schmitz and Tina Gygie and her two brothers, Aaron and Peter Dyck. Mary was born in Morris, Saskatchewan on March 16, 1918. At an early age, her family moved to Herbert, Saskatchewan where she attended school. Mary met Hans while visiting her sister in Barons and after they were married, they worked on the farm in Circle Hill, Alberta. After a few years of farming, they moved to Vancouver Island but because Mary was home sick, they moved back to Alberta. Mary worked as a cook and baker in Claresholm and Woolworth’s in Lethbridge, where she made lots of lasting friendships. She loved reading a good book, camping with family and friends, doing jigsaw puzzles and especially word search puzzles. She enjoyed her weekly coffee visits with her friends at Pop’s Pub and meeting friends at the Army and Navy. Mary loved to bake and we will miss her homemade bread and especially her Saskatoon pies. Mom was fortunate to live in her own home right up to one month of her passing. A special thanks to the staff of St. Michael’s Palliative Centre for the wonderful care they gave Mary and to The Lethbridge Society for Meals On Wheels who provided Mary with a meal three times a week. She looked forward to the volunteer’s visit each time. A Private Family Service was held at McKILLOP UNITED CHURCH on Saturday, January 18, 2014 to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre, 1400 – 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V5