Obituary of Mary Rocan

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our sister, aunt, and friend, Mary Rocan on Monday, April 19, 2004. Mary began working with the Saskatchewan Provincial Government in 1937. Through her employment efforts she broke considerable ground in the cause of Women’s Labour Force Equality. Her distinguished career included many diverse and prominent positions, including Executive Secretary of the Minimum Wage Board, Assistant Director of the Labour Standard Branch, Director of the Women’s Bureau, Department of Labour, and she was one of two people who reviewed the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. As a result of her activity in the Labour Department and in her volunteer actions Mary was awarded, in recognition of invaluable service to the nation, the Centennial Medal on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Confederation. She remained as Executive Secretary to the Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Board and served as its Chair from 1979 to 1992. Over the years Mary was also concerned with the well-being of her community. As a member and Past President of Soroptimist International of Regina, in which she held every executive position, Mary chaired the Building Committee responsible for the construction of the recreation centre in Pioneer Village in 1959, the first such centre in Regina. She co-chaired a group that established a volunteer service committee for the Provincial Geriatric Centre in Regina. Mary was involved with the YWCA as a board member and was one of the first to be honoured with an Honourary Life membership. Mary served six terms on the Board of Directors of the Family Service Bureau of Regina, as well as eleven years (1979 – 1990) on the board of Pioneer Village. In 1992, Mary was honoured with the Soroptimist Woman of Distinction Award for her work in Human Rights/Status of Women. In 1995, she received the Frances Wagner Women of Achievement Award from the Soroptimist Western Canada Region. In 1993, she had her proudest moment, when she was invited to Government House in Ottawa to be presented with the Governor General’s award in commemoration of the Person’s Case for her outstanding efforts to bring equality for Canadian women in the workplace. She is survived by her sisters, Gertrude Stevenson, Balcarres, SK, and Adele Rocan, Calgary, AB. She also leaves to mourn her nieces, nephews and close friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Tommy Rocan and her parents Anna and Theodore Rocan. Please join us in paying tribute to this exceptional woman at the Victoria Avenue Funeral Home (2080E. Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. Graveside service is to follow in Riverside Cemetery (Regina, SK). To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 Park Road S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 3Y6. Telephone: (403) 264-5549. www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Mary Rocan, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.