Obituary for Mary Freeda Martinac (Hawkins)
MARTINAC, Mary Freeda
1935 - 2018
Mary Freeda Martinac passed away peacefully at Rockyview Hospital on December 22, 2018 at the age of 83 years. Mary was the third child of Henry (Harry) and Mabel Hawkins nee Smith, she was born in the Lac Vert area of Saskatchewan on March 14, 1935. Mary’s life was meet with tragedy very young as her mother passed away when she was only 3 ½ years old. The family was then split up with Mary being raised by Ted and Elsie Fear.
After finishing grade 8 at age 14 she moved to Prince Albert to live with her father where she worked for several years. In 1954 she came to Calgary to see her brother Derrick who was returning from service in Korea and she decided to stay. She met her future husband Rudolph (Rudy) that same year and they were soon married.
Mary and Rudy had 4 girls, Martha, Dorothy, Pauline and Angie. Unfortunately the marriage soon broke down and times were tough. She started to sell Avon to bring in some money, eventually earning her Diamond pin (Avon’s highest award). In 1970 she went back to school to take a bartending course at SAIT so that she could better support herself and her family. She worked in various places including the York Hotel, the St. Louis Hotel, The Glenmore Inn and finally the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 285. Mary retired from working at the Legion in 2001 after having a stroke. She remained a Ladies Auxiliary member up to her passing.
She enjoyed camping, especially at Park Lake near Lethbridge, the Crowsnest Pass or in the BC Kootenays. She also enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables which she continued to do right up until this year. She loved travelling and one highlight was going on an Alaskan cruise in 2001 where she managed to walk up an extremely steep hill to see the oldest Russian Orthodox Church in North America. She loved visiting and supporting the Calgary Zoo, going to Spruce Meadows to watch show jumping or visiting Heritage Park.
Mary was a very feisty person who spoke her mind.
Mary is survived by her 4 daughters, Martha Webster, Dorothy Martinac, Pauline (Jim) Spiers and Angie Martinac; 5 grandchildren, James Martinac, Amanda (Jonathan) Sargent, James (Michelle) Spiers, Adam and Tamara Webster; 3 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Sargent, Dallas and Jamon Martinac; her brother, Derrick and her grand cat, Lacey. She was predeceased by her parents; adoptive parents, Ted and Elsie Fear; son-in-law, Lloyd Webster; her sister, Vicky and brother, David.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church (1407 – 7 Ave NW, Calgary) on Saturday January 12, 2019 at 1:00 pm. If friends so desire, memorial tributes can be made to either St. Barnabas Anglican Church 1407 – 7 Ave NW, Calgary AB T2N 0Z3 or The Calgary Zoo 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary AB T2E 7V6.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Mary please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
1935 - 2018
Mary Freeda Martinac passed away peacefully at Rockyview Hospital on December 22, 2018 at the age of 83 years. Mary was the third child of Henry (Harry) and Mabel Hawkins nee Smith, she was born in the Lac Vert area of Saskatchewan on March 14, 1935. Mary’s life was meet with tragedy very young as her mother passed away when she was only 3 ½ years old. The family was then split up with Mary being raised by Ted and Elsie Fear.
After finishing grade 8 at age 14 she moved to Prince Albert to live with her father where she worked for several years. In 1954 she came to Calgary to see her brother Derrick who was returning from service in Korea and she decided to stay. She met her future husband Rudolph (Rudy) that same year and they were soon married.
Mary and Rudy had 4 girls, Martha, Dorothy, Pauline and Angie. Unfortunately the marriage soon broke down and times were tough. She started to sell Avon to bring in some money, eventually earning her Diamond pin (Avon’s highest award). In 1970 she went back to school to take a bartending course at SAIT so that she could better support herself and her family. She worked in various places including the York Hotel, the St. Louis Hotel, The Glenmore Inn and finally the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 285. Mary retired from working at the Legion in 2001 after having a stroke. She remained a Ladies Auxiliary member up to her passing.
She enjoyed camping, especially at Park Lake near Lethbridge, the Crowsnest Pass or in the BC Kootenays. She also enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables which she continued to do right up until this year. She loved travelling and one highlight was going on an Alaskan cruise in 2001 where she managed to walk up an extremely steep hill to see the oldest Russian Orthodox Church in North America. She loved visiting and supporting the Calgary Zoo, going to Spruce Meadows to watch show jumping or visiting Heritage Park.
Mary was a very feisty person who spoke her mind.
Mary is survived by her 4 daughters, Martha Webster, Dorothy Martinac, Pauline (Jim) Spiers and Angie Martinac; 5 grandchildren, James Martinac, Amanda (Jonathan) Sargent, James (Michelle) Spiers, Adam and Tamara Webster; 3 great grandchildren, Elizabeth Sargent, Dallas and Jamon Martinac; her brother, Derrick and her grand cat, Lacey. She was predeceased by her parents; adoptive parents, Ted and Elsie Fear; son-in-law, Lloyd Webster; her sister, Vicky and brother, David.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church (1407 – 7 Ave NW, Calgary) on Saturday January 12, 2019 at 1:00 pm. If friends so desire, memorial tributes can be made to either St. Barnabas Anglican Church 1407 – 7 Ave NW, Calgary AB T2N 0Z3 or The Calgary Zoo 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary AB T2E 7V6.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Mary please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.