Mary Stefura, who devoted six decades of her life to the Ukrainian community in Sudbury and the community at large, died April 30 at the age of 91.
Her obituary said Mary and her husband John (predeceased 2017) were trailblazers, actively involved in the early days of Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, Sudbury Theatre Centre and the Art Gallery of Sudbury.
Of her many accomplishments, Stefura was most proud of bringing the Ukrainian Seniors’ Centre, Barvinok-on-the-Park, Altanka Garden and Hnatyshyn Park to fruition. These demonstrated her vision for her community.
Mary and John Stefura were married a week after she graduated from Toronto Teachers College.
The young couple made their lifelong home in Sudbury. While raising her family, Stefura furthered her education with a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Education. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Laurentian University in 1993.
The local, provincial, and national awards for Stefura’s decades of community service include the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship; Community Builders Award (awarded by Sudbury.com predecessor publication Northern Life); the Bi-Centennial Medal for service to the community, Province of Ontario, Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Governor General’s Award.
A funeral mass for Mary Stefura took place at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church on May 6. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
