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Obituary of Maria Stefanie Telfer
April 26, 1931 - Tilley, Alberta
November 24, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta
Maria (Mary) Telfer (nee Chrumka) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at the age of 91 years.
Mary was born in Tilley, AB on April 26, 1931, to Maria and Alex Chrumka, recent immigrants from Slovakia (then Czechoslovakia). She attended high school at St. Theresa College in Medicine Hat, AB where she enjoyed playing basketball, figure skating and sewing costumes for the school plays. Mary then moved to Calgary where she met John (Jack) Oliver Telfer at United Canso Oil & Gas Ltd where they both worked. They married on April 24, 1954.
Mary and Jack built their home in Meadowlark Park where they raised their family. She joined St. Anthony’s parish in 1955 and was an active member of the church community throughout her life. Mary took up downhill skiing in the 1960s and soon had her entire family enjoying the mountains and numerous fun ski holidays. Mary and Jack were members of Canyon Meadows Golf Club and spent many hours together on the course. After her husband Jack passed away in 1989, she continued to golf and loved to go out in the evening to ‘hit a few balls’. She also liked to travel, garden, and paint her house. She always said she didn’t like to cook, but she was in fact, a great cook and maker of delicious cookies. Mary liked to refinish antique furniture and collect little nic nacs, which gave her joy. She also loved rocks.
Mary will be lovingly remembered and missed by her two children. She was always patient and kind. She will also be lovingly remembered and missed by her two grandchildren. She was always there when they needed her.
Mary is survived by her daughter Jo Ann Telfer and her son Don (Paula) Telfer; as well as her grandchildren, Alexandra (Zan Zan to her Gram) Marchuk and Erik Marchuk (Taylor Lindal) all of Calgary. Mary is also survived by her sister Josephine Urban of Innisfail, AB, her brother Alex (Shirley) Chrumka of Brooks, AB and her brother John (Carmen) Chrumka of Calgary; as well as nieces, nephews, and friends. Mary was predeceased by her husband Jack Telfer, her brother Stephen Chrumka and her very dear friend Florence Bilozir.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish (5340 – 4th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow at Meadowlark Park Community Hall at 623 58th Ave. SW. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
In living memory of Maria Telfer, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
