Obituary of Mary Pobran

January 29, 1923 - October 4, 2020

The peaceful passing of Mary Pobran occurred on the morning of October 4, 2020, at the Newport Harbour Care Centre in Calgary Alberta, with her daughter Karen holding her hand.  She is survived by her children, David, Ted (Bonnie), and Karen (Ken) Marsh.  Mary was predeceased by her husband, John (1971); her father Mike Lysitza (1934) mother Tekla, (1964), brothers Walter (1988), Joe (1989), Mike (2000)  and sisters Nellie Lysitza (1992), and Anne Babick (2003). 

Mary was born in Tway, Saskatchewan, January 29, 1923.  Due to the harsh winter her birth was not registered until February 15, 1923, and that date was used for official purposes. Her birthday was always celebrated on January 29th.

Mary grew up on a farm near Tway and often talked about her loved horse, Charlie, who would neigh through her bedroom window to wake her up and kneel down on his front legs to allow her to get on.  Mary loved nature and took time to watch wildlife, enjoy flowers, pick wild mushrooms and Saskatoon berries.  She was also an avid gardener until her husband’s passing, and a very good cook.  Good health, skin care, fashion and interior design captured her attention and ideals.

She left the farm in her late teens where she got a job grading eggs in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.  She was given a company car that she largely learned to drive herself.  She eventually settled in Saskatoon where she met her husband John and married in 1948.

Although she raised three children, she worked for the better part of her life.  She started in retail clothing sales where she was quickly promoted to manager.  She was terrific in sales and always took the client’s best interests at heart.  Mary had a strong work ethic and demanded the same of others, especially her children, while at the same time being very generous.  She always had the best of intentions and was loving and kind. Mary was exceptionally capable and dependable, and a bit of a prankster who loved to socialize, party, and dance.  Mary attended St. Peter and St. Paul’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and was a member of the FIDES Club. 

She moved to Calgary in 1993 so she could be closer to her daughter, Karen.  She worked part time in health food stores until she retired at the age of 90.  Family was extremely important to her and she always held and attended gatherings and celebrations.  She loved engaging with her grandchildren, Dalon (Casey), Heidi (Williams Brian), Dan Erhardt (Chelsea), Darren Erhardt (Kendra), and Taylor, and her great grandchildren, Abby, Luke, Adam, Jocelyn, Wesley, Eiley and Isobel.  The lifetime closeness of Mary’s dear niece Vickie Toner and family and the special times with Larry Lysitza and Olive Hilkewich brought great joy to her. She kept in close contact by telephone with all her friends and relatives near and far away, including Remy Lopez in San Diego.

On behalf of the family, our deepest thanks go to all of the staff and companions at Newport Harbour Care Centre and All About Seniors, Dr. Ali and Dr. Kale Moore.  You are all heroes in our hearts.  

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB). Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Mary's obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. Mary’s ashes will be interred in her husband’s grave in Saskatoon at a later date.