Mrs. Mary Ostafie of Yorkton, formerly of Canora and the Mikado district, beloved wife of the late Victor Ostafie entered eternal life on February 24, 2016 at the age of 93 years. Mary was born on May 16, 1922 in the Mikado district to Mary (Wilgosh) and Nick Trach. She was the youngest of 8 brothers and 5 sisters. Mary attended Bogucz School from Grade 1 to 8, and like all of her older siblings, she then stayed home to help with the farming chores such as milking cows, feeding chickens and pigs, haying, stooking, harrowing with horses and walking behind the harrows. On November 6, 1943, Mary was united in marriage to Victor Ostafie at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church on the farm by Mikado, a church both had been members of prior to their marriage. Together, they made their first home on Victor's grandfather's farm. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Jean in 1944 and sons, Jimmy in 1947 and Ronnie in 1948. Mary and Victor operated the family farm together, sharing many of the duties. When harvest came, Victor would combine and Mary hauled grain with horses and when they bought their first self-propelled combine, Mary began to haul grain with a tractor. Mary and Victor moved to Canora in 1977 and continued to farm until 1985. Mary was a true member of her faith. She began singing with the church choir when she was 12 or 13. Mary served as a member of the Altar Society and choir leader for many years at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church in Mikado. When they moved to Canora, Mary became a member of the Catholic Women's League and once again, a member of the choir of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Besides the Church, Mary was also an active member of the Canora Hospital Auxiliary, the Canora Gateway Lodge Auxiliary and together with Victor they were members of the Canora Keen Age Centre. Mary held various positions within these organizations including President of the Canora Gateway Lodge Auxiliary for a few years. Mary enjoyed driving her car. She started driving before she was 20 and was able to continue driving until she was 91. For many years, she was the driver while Victor sat in the passenger seat. When Jean became ill in 2004, Mary made at least 2 trips to Yorkton every week until she moved to Yorkton in 2007 to be closer to her family. Throughout her life, Mary's family remained very important and dear to her. Mary and Victor were always available to help Jean and Nestor whenever needed and enjoyed looking after and spending time with their grandchildren Debbie and David. In more recent years and especially after moving to Yorkton, Mary enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren, Brett, Braden and Brielle. Baba was always there to support and cheer on her great-grandchildren in their sports, school concerts and dance recitals. Mary enjoyed singing, reading, pattern dancing in her younger years, doing puzzles, sewing and quilting, evident by the quilts she made for each of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and godchildren. Mary was fortunate to be able to live on her own until February, 2016 with the help of her family and a few close friends. On February 5, Mary was admitted to respite care in Yorkton and later to the Yorkton Regional Health Centre for further care. Mary is lovingly remembered by her son-in-law Nestor Kyba, grandson David Kyba, granddaughter and grandson-in-law Debbie and Larry Kitchen and most precious great-grandchildren, Brett, Braden and Brielle Kitchen; her brothers and sisters-in-law of the Ostafie family; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was predeceased by her husband Victor in 2000; her parents Nick and Mary Trach; her children Jean Kyba in 2009, Jimmy in 1947 and Ronnie in 1968; her sisters - Lillian Labinowicz, Ann Honoway, Julia Yaworsky and Nellie Ostafie; brothers - Elias, Stephen, Thomas, Casmir, Frank, Peter, Laurie and Mike; all of her in-laws of the Trach family and a number of the in-laws of the Ostafie family. A Prayer Vigil was held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Francis Hengen officiating. The organist, Colleen Bourne led the choir in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace", Psalm 27, "Hail Mary, Full of Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". The readings were offered by Debbie Kitchen. The Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Canora, with Rev. Fr. Franklin Emereuwa as the Celebrant. The organist, Colleen Bourne led the choir in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace", "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman", "Only A Shadow", "May Flights of Angels", "Serdeczna Matko" and "Hail, Queen of Heav'n". The readings were given by David Kyba, Debbie & Larry Kitchen. Brett, Braden & Brielle Kitchen served as the Gift Bearers. The cross bearer was Brielle Kitchen and the altar servers were Carmen & Ashley Stusek. The eulogy was presented by David Kyba and Larry Kitchen. Members of the Catholic Women's League served in an honour guard. The interment followed in the Canora Town Cemetery with Nestor Kyba, David Kyba, Larry Kitchen, Brett Kitchen, Braden Kitchen, Nestor Trach, Norman Makowsky and Ken Ostafie serving as the casket bearers. Memorials can be made to St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church or the Health Foundation. Condolences can be sent to the family at .
