MARY BODNAR

1928 - 2011

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, Mary Elizabeth Bodnar who passed away in Lethbridge at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at the age of 83 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, November 7, 2011 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Sandra Riddell officiating. A private family burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Mary is survived by her children Fred (Carol) Bodnar of Taber and their children Brad (Kristin) Bodnar (their children Kennadi and Dallas), Craig (Marisa) Bodnar, Tammi (Cale) Leishman (their child Taya); Garry (Pat) Bodnar of Taber and their children Andrea Lutz and Erik Bodnar; grandchildren Mitch Bodnar and Nikki Bodnar and their mother Shauna Bodnar. She is also survived by her sister Betty (Frank) Slavik of Taber.
She was predeceased by her husband Frank Bodnar; son Allan Bodnar; parents Frank and Mary Kisari.
Mary was born in Kekcse, Hungary on July 1, 1928. She immigrated with her family to Canada when she was eight years old and they settled in Southern Alberta. She married Frank Bodnar on April 11, 1950 and together they took over the family farm south of Taber. They remained there until 1975 when they sold the farm and moved to town. Mary was a hard worker that could do any chores that needed to be done which included working on the tractor, picking rocks, hauling bales and all other chores that were required on the farm. She was an exceptional cook that could make delicious meals from the simplest ingredients like flour, water and spices, as times were very hard and wasting food or anything edible was not an option. Mary was very creative in making meals that we still love today. In her spare time, she took exceptional pride in her yard. She loved growing flowers and garden vegetables. Mary worked at the Taber Hospital for twenty years prior to her retirement. She was a very happy, jovial person who enjoyed life and others around her. Mary was quite an entertainer, she would joke around, loved to laugh and especially enjoyed dancing. Her greatest pride was her grandchildren. She loved them all dearly and then her great grandchildren Kennadi, Dallas and Taya who brought her much joy.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Mary’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.