MARY RIHA

1913 - 2002

Mary Riha, beloved wife of the late Joseph Riha, peacefully passed away at the Taber Hospital on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at the age of 88 years.
Mary was born in Savannah, Illinois on December 30, 1913 to Anton and Mary Gajdostik. She was raised in Moravia , Czechoslovakia until the age of seventeen years. While in Czecholslovkia she met met her future husband Joseph. Mary spent some time in Chicago where she worked as a nanny before accepting Joseph’s proposal of marriage which brought her to Coaldale, Alberta. They were married in St. Patrick’s cathedral in Lethbridge on November 25, 1936. They settled down in Readymade, Alberta where they farmed and raised their two children, Mildred and Frank until Joseph’s passing in 1948. She continued to live in Readymade with her family as an active part of the farm until 1999 when she moved to Taber, where she resided until the time of her passing.
Mary was steadfastly dedicated to her family and to her church. She was a founding member and three time president of the Catholic Women’s League in Coaldale which she belonged to for over fifty years. Mary supported her community well and volunteered her time endlessly to community events.
She was always busy cooking, cleaning and caring for her family and above all else praying for the happiness and well being for everyone whether she knew them or not.
Her generosity of spirit and selfless nature will be fondly remembered by those she leaves behind.
She is survived by her daughter Mildred Varga of Taber; her son, Frank Riha of Coaldale; grandchildren, Joseph (Carolyn) Riha, Les Tolnai and Kirk Riha, Jo Ann (Jay) Dowell nee Varga, David (Cindy) Varga, Greg (Keri) Varga and her great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by her sister, Antonia Bartosek; her brother Frank Gajdostik Sr. as well as many other family and friends near and far.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet for Prayers at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Mike and Yvette Whalen officiating.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, August 16, 2002 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Tito Ranola Celebrant. Interment followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Lethbridge.