Condolences
We send condolences to John & Mary’s family.
We spent years together enjoying beautiful wines & Mary’s beautiful smile and gentle ways will always be remembered.
Mary along with husband John has been a strong supporter of the Syncrude Retirees Chapter here in Southern Alberta and will be sorely missed. On behalf of all our members I would like to offer our sympathy and condolences to all her family and friends.
Phil K
Eugenia Krpan
Mary was the perfect sister-in law, a loving and caring aunt and great-aunt. Although we lived far apart Katie and Peter, got to know their western family. Mary visited us often and had a keen interest in all the interests and activities. Great-nieces Ellie and Kara will always remember the Monopoly Game. Mary will be greatly missed.
I first met Mary in 1981 when she married my father in Edmonton , Alberta.
I loved getting to know her , as she she had a vibrant personality, keen wit , and laugh that could open a room and put others at ease .
I will always remember her sagacity , caring , and insight as a step mother .
I was blessed to have known Mary for 41 years , and send my condolences to her family .
Mary was one of my favourite cousins - I greatly admired her zest for life, her humility and humour and her appreciation of the profound. Hearing her stories was a favourite time at any family gathering. I will miss her genuine smile and warmth. My condolences to John and everyone in the family.
Mary was truly a classy lady and a unique person. We went on a car trip together to Banff and drove the Jasper-Banff Highway at a time when I felt rootless. She was so understanding and kind. It was as if she could look into your soul and love you without judgement. She really listened to people and was so rational and practical. Mary could tell such interesting stories about her experiences as a teacher. I learned a lot about her methods of classroom management....but making it work for me was another story. She had a unique gift with kids, and they knew she cared about them individually. I admired her persistence and drive to do hard things and new things, like the time she was a bag lady for a few days. I feel blessed to have known Mary, to be her double cousin and be cared by her. I look forward to a day when earthly miles and commitments no longer separate us.
Ms. Krpan was my Grade 6 teacher at St. Rose Elementary School in Edmonton. She was a teacher who cared about her students and allowed us to grow as adolescents. She allowed us to have a class pet hamster even though he escaped a few times. She also allowed us to have a class aquarium, which was its own source of chaos at times. She was a dedicated teacher who ran a tight ship in the classroom and aimed to see her students grow and succeed. I was saddened to read of her passing and have found memories of her as my teacher.
Craig Boyer
John, I visited with Mary not long ago and we had great fun talking about your time in Mexico. She spoke to me of your long relationship and how much it meant to her. We sang Las Mañanitas together. We imagined how much fun it might be to travel there together. I’m with Sunflower ovarian cancer support group and appreciated her presence and clear thinking and friendship.
Suzn Morgan
Mary was a dear and special cousin to me. I have fond memories of some special times spent with her and our “sister” cousins. Mary brightened a room with her infectious laugh, her positive outlook and practicality and most of all with her wonderful stories. I’m grateful for having had her touch my life. She will be missed
Condolences to her family and relatives
Helen Wright
I knew Mary only briefly as a member of our Sunflower Group, a support group for women with gynaecological cancers. We will remember her wonderful, broad smile, her sense of humour, and her quick intelligence. She accepted her final days with grace and dignity, determined to do it her own way, with the realization that she had lived a good life with much purpose. We will always remember her. My deepest condolences to you all.
Sincerely,
Brenda Glazer
Sandra and I became very close to Mary and John since they arrived and settled in Calgary. We met frequently for coffee breaks at a local coffee shop and discussed all sort of topics from family history to books we were reading to local politics. We were sad at Mary's passing and will surely miss her over the coming days. Mary is a first cousin to me and I always looked upon her as another sister. We played together as young children and attended university together, went our separate ways after graduation and eventually and happily our paths crossed again when she moved to Calgary. I have many fond memories going back to the early 40s of Mary and her brother Mike exchanging visits with my sister Katie and I. This is all in the past but will never be forgotten.
Our condolences to John and Mary's close relatives.
Nick and Sandra Krpan
We were all very fond of Mary and particularly enjoyed getting to know her better over the past 10 years as we all ended up living in the same NW area of Calgary and had the opportunity to get together more frequently at family gatherings. Mary had so many great and interesting stories to share, everyone listened with intrigue and adored her charming and kind personality. I was happy that my Mother Katie (Krpan) Witham was able to visit Mary in the hospice, they held hands the whole time and reminisced about their childhood. Mary said "Katia, we held hands when we were young and now here we are holding hands when we are old", they both smiled and it was a great comfort for both of them. On behalf of my Mom Katie, and the Roach Family (John, Suzanne and Johnny) we send our sincerest and heart felt condolences to John Stone, Mike and Eugenia Krpan and Family. We will truly miss her kind and gentle spirit.
Donna and I were very saddened to hear that our cousin Mary had died. Personally we did not have a lot of opportunities to visit with Mary unless she was visiting our mom (Frances Brkich) in Richmond, B.C. Our mom was always so happy when Mary and John came to visit. Every March 15th, our mom's birthday, the doorbell would ring indicating a delivery of an expensive flower arrangement from Mary and John. Our mom would always shake her head in wonder of why would Mary spend so much money? Year after year, Mary would send flowers....our mom lived to 99 years, so that was a lot of flowers! Mary also wrote to our mom and sent emails which always put a smile on mom's face. Donna and I were so thankful that Mary took the time to keep connected with our mother. Obviously family was very important to Mary and to our mom. Mary touched a lot of people in her life. Our condolences to all of the family.
Sisters: Donna and Vicky Brkich
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