Mary Stefura died peacefully at Maison McCulloch Hospice, on April 30, 2024.
Beloved wife of John (predeceased 2017), loving mother of Michael (Jan predeceased 2009), Vladimira (Roman), and Marcy (Spencer), cherished Baba of Matthew, Colin and Michael.
Mary was born in Sudbury, delivered by Dr. Faustina Kelly Cook, as Mary proudly liked to recount. Together with her sister Anne (predeceased 2014), Mary was raised in Espanola by her grandparents, Michael and Irene Sykos, and St. Catharines by her mother Anne Wlasy.
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, Mary furthered her education with a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Education. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Laurentian University in 1993.
A proud resident of Sudbury, Mary devoted six decades of her life to the growth of the cultural and educational assets of the Ukrainian community and the Sudbury community, at large. Mary and her husband 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, Mary 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.
The local, provincial, and national awards for Mary’s decades of community service include the Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellowship; Community Builders award; the Bi-Centennial Medal for service to the community, Province of Ontario; Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal; and the Governor General’s Award.
The family is grateful for the excellent care provided by those who brought comfort and joy to Mary in her later years.
Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church, 40 Notre Dame Ave, Sudbury Monday, May 6th, 2024, at 10am.
Interment in the family plot at the Civic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Maison McCulloch Hospice or Ukrainian Senior Citizens Center would be appreciated.
No funeral visitation. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Jackson and Barnard.