Obituary of Mary Kuzak Wilson

January 27, 1928 – Montreal, Quebec

May 16, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

On the morning of May 16, 2022, Mary Kuzak Wilson of Montreal and recently Calgary, passed on to her next adventure at the age of 94. She died of natural causes.  Even though she lived in Calgary and was starting to become a “westerner” her heart was definitely in Montreal.

As everyone who knew her was quite aware, Mary was full of life. She loved life and was such fun at weddings and family gatherings.  She was much loved and called many names- Meja, aunty Mary, Mom and Baba. 

She overcame contracting TB and living in a sanatorium in the Eastern Townships for over a year. Even there, they couldn’t contain her wild side; she and Betty would sneak out for some fun and laughs.  She made lifelong friends. Betty Mitchell from her time in the sanatorium and Carmel Brownrigg from grade school, where both lived in “the Village”/Griffintown.  Madeline, her neighbor when she moved to the West Island, became an additional partner in adventure.

Her zest for life continued once her children moved out, and found her getting active and fit, going to aquafit classes and regular luncheon’s with “the girls”. She even started obtaining tattoos after the age of 65.  Many a tattoo occurred with Peter when she visited every year in California, and her last one was matching Ukrainian nesting dolls with her granddaughter Samantha in Canmore AB. She was a great quilter and made countless “rocking horse” baby blankets for family and friends.

She loved to travel. She went to Europe with her sister Ann, when they were both in their 50’s.   She traveled to Spain with her best friend Carmel when they were in their 70’s and Mom and her friends, Carmel included traveled on one of the last CP passenger trains from Montreal to Vancouver. She made countless trips and visits to California, Calgary, Newfoundland, Arizona and Savary Island.  She loved the beach at any time of the year and especially loved the heat in Arizona where she could “cook her bones.”

Mom was a very strong and independent woman- not afraid to tackle and embrace the world and never give up. She never looked or acted her age and NEVER turned down a glass of wine.  Her zest for living was so strong, she never gave up. From TB in her early 20’s to an ulcer in her ‘40’s to hip replacement and back surgery in her 80’s… she loved life and wanted to live fully.

We want everyone who has known her to remember her as a vibrant and active and if she can do it… we all can.

 Mary is survived by her children Anne-Marie and Peter, and her three grandchildren: Samantha, Theodore, and Benjamin. She is beloved by many more family members and friends. She put a smile on the face of everyone she encountered. She will be dearly missed.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 Telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca.

In living memory of Mary Kuzak Wilson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.