Mary Sekura

1934 - 2023

Mary Sekura (née Perl), beloved wife of the late Joseph Sekura, passed away in Taber on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at the age of 89 years.

Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 7:30 P.M.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

Mary will be missed and forever remembered by her children Lydia (Joe) Hamar of Lethbridge, Joey Sekura of Taber and Bonnie Schmitchen (Kim Thompson) of Taber. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Darrel (Carrie) Nikoleychuk, Denise (Jeremy) Wickson and by four great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Kathy (Stan) Machacek and Marcie Ovendun; sisters-in-law Liz Bandelow, Theresa (Don) Maxwell, Mary (Blair) Wagner, Ginny (Bud) Lewis; brother-in-law Frank (Ann) Sekura as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides Joseph, her husband of forty seven years, she was predeceased by her son Matthew Sekura and son-in-law Cecil Nikoleychuk; her parents John and Rozina Perl; stepfather Jerome Willemarck; Joesph’s parents Frank and Elizabeth Sekura. She was also predeceased by her brothers Tony Perl, Micheal Perl and John Perl; sisters-in-law Dorothy Perl, Anne Perl, Florence Perl and her brothers-in-law Walter Ovendun and Karl Bandelow.

Mary was born in Taber on July 13, 1934 to John and Rozina Perl. At age six, a farming accident claimed her father. The family faced difficult times but were able to stay together. It is quite likely those circumstances helped shape her resilient character, strong work ethic and a heartfelt bond with her brothers and sisters both in blood and marriage throughout her adult life. She married Joesph Sekura in 1953 and they began their wedded life on the farm east of Taber. Even after Joe passed away in 2000, Mary continued to reside on the farm until the time of her passing.

Life on an irrigation farm in the early 1950s meant long hours in the field from early spring through summer and into late fall. Winter brought some relief from fieldwork, but cattle had to be fed through the winter months, often under harsh weather conditions. Also, there were always meals to prepare and daily household chores to do, all without the aid of the many labour saving appliances available today. Through it all though, they raised a family and still found time to socialize with extended family and friends.

In many respects, Mary’s life experience was similar to that of many farmwives of that era. However, she regularly found time to lend a hand or help out others whenever the need arose. Whenever there were windows, floors or a wall to wash during spring cleaning, rugs to vacuum or knickknacks to dust, she would be there on a moments notice. In the time following her brother Tony’s passing, she found time to help Anne with major housework chores that otherwise could have been overwhelming. Mary had the uncanny ability to do extensive housework while carrying on an extended conversation, in effect combining a social visit with an efficient housecleaning operation all without sacrificing quality in either aspect of the day’s undertakings.

Even with the demands on her time, Mary was still able to find a balance in life. She thoroughly enjoyed a night out during the weekend, weddings, dances during a festive season or at otherwise random events, as well as socializing with extended family and friends. In her later years, she was a regular at the Taber Legion Friday night meat draw and seemed to win more often than sheer chance would predict. She would often reminisce about the cruise ship wedding of Darrel and Carrie and the entire experience remained one of her fond memories. In more recent years, she looked forward to spending time at Joey’s condo near Las Vegas. While not a gambler nor particularly into the Vegas entertainment scene, she said she simply appreciated the warmth of the sun while relaxing by the pool.

Mary’s voice could be heard as loud but she was never brassy. She was not afraid or inhibited in speaking her mind when asked for her opinion, but she would never intentionally utter a word of hurt, instead only offering sound advice from her perspective. In a lifetime of what may seem rather ordinary at first blush, she was a unique and extraordinary personality, and those who really knew her are much better for the experience.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Mary’s name may be made directly to the charity of one’s personal choice.