Mary Buchwitz

Mary enjoyed many things in her life especially being with her friends, family, and loving husband. She was an avid gardener, a lover of birds and nature, a giving soul and a faithful participant in church and community. Mary raised four children with her husband Alfred, and has four grandchildren, all of whom hold fond memories of their dear Oma. She raised chickens for fun, had rescue dogs and cats on her acreage, and was a great cook and baker, serving up delicious strudels and a multitude of cookies over the holiday season.

Mary appreciated life as she had experienced much hardship and challenges growing up in a large family with her seven siblings in Einlage, Ukraine. Her father was taken away from them in 1938, never to be seen again, and her mother escaped Russia with Mary in tow. Mary experienced a break in her education and teenage years, eventually immigrating to Canada in 1948. Sponsored by relatives in Saskatchewan, Mary worked as a nanny to help her family and eventually got a job as an office worker in the bus depot in Calgary. She married and raised children in Calgary, eventually moving onto an acreage. There she spent many happy hours in her garden and greenhouse growing beautiful tomatoes and cucumbers. Mary also experimented with raising chickens and collecting their eggs which she shared with her family and neighbors.

Mary participated in several groups representing rural women (the Alberta Women’s Institute) and volunteered at the Bethany Care Home. She helped with charitable activities to raise funds for non-profit organizations. She held dear her friends and family because that is how she was, always giving and appreciating her loved ones, making fast friends and enjoying her life in Canada.

She will be in our hearts forever and would have loved to see her friends and family celebrating her life. Much appreciation to all those who gather to honor Mary’s life, remembering her genuine presence and her loving nature.

Mary is the loving mother to Lorie (Alex), Monica (Wayne), Rita (Ken) and Kenneth, loving Oma to Shawn, Michael and Christopher. She is predeceased by her husband Alfred in 1998 and her granddaughter Jacquelyn in 2021.

A Funeral Service will be held at Foothills Lutheran Church, 3104 34 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2L 2A3, on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 1:00 PM.

Donations may be made to the Brenda Strafford Foundation at www.thebsf.ca.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fostersgardenchapel.net for the Buchwitz family.