Mary Ann Unrau

1944 - 2024

Mary Ann Elisabeth Unrau (née Pawlowski), passed away peacefully in Taber on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at the age of 80 years, following a lengthy illness.

A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden prior to the funeral service on Friday, September 27, 2024.

The Funeral Service was held at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. 

Mary Ann is survived by Ronald, her husband of fifty four years and their children Dianne, Dale and Darlene. She is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John Meier, Bill and Edith Unrau and Shelly Unrau, as well as her nieces, nephews and many other relatives.

She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Annie Pawlowski, sister Frances Meier, father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Helen Unrau, nephew Cliff Meier, great nephew Brett Forchuk and brothers-in-law Donald Unrau (Ronald’s twin brother) and Allan Unrau (Bill’s twin brother).

Mary Ann was born on her family’s farm in Oscar Lake, Saskatchewan on August 4, 1944 and grew up among a close knit community of extended family and neighbours. Mary Ann started her schooling in 1950 in a rural one room schoolhouse. She was one of five Marys in the school so to differentiate herself from her classmates, she went by her first and middle names of Mary Ann. When her older sister started grade nine, Mary Ann and her sister moved in with their aunt and uncle to attend school in Hafford, Saskatchewan. In July of 1958, at the age of thirteen, she moved to Hays with her parents and sister. She completed grade nine in Hays and graduated from Vauxhall High School in 1962. She completed her nurses training at St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in Lethbridge in 1965 and worked at the hospital as a registered nurse for ten years, building lifelong friendships. In 1969, she married Ronald Unrau in Lethbridge and they settled in Taber in 1976. She focused on raising her family, volunteer work, doing bookkeeping and managing her parent’s farmland.

Mary Ann was a devoted and engaged mother to her children and was involved in her children’s school activities including being an active member of the PTA and attending many field trips, sports days and hot lunch meals. She took special pride in her sister’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. To her sister’s children, she was Aunt Mary, a term of endearment given by her sister. Mary Ann was very active and hardworking. This was evident in her approach to her volunteer work, including many years with 4-H, Ladies of Kiwanis and many other organizations. She was a curious individual with a continuous drive to learn and a remarkable memory. Some of her favourite activities included socializing, bowling, reading and taking long walks. Mary Ann spent many hours in her garden and yard, tending to the vegetables, fruits, flowers and other plants. She would freeze, can or preserve the bounty from her garden. Some summers there would be over one hundred quarts of cucumbers that were pickled. Mary Ann also enjoyed crafts, including sewing, quilting, needlepoint, crocheting and knitting.

Mary Ann faced life with strength, determination and humour. Her grit was evident up to her final days and weeks.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Mary Ann’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 www.tdhf.ca.

Mary Ann’s family wish to thank family and friends, the teams at Linden View, Coulee Family Services, and the Taber Health Centre and the many health professionals who went above and beyond to support her over the last eight years.