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Obituary ~ Mary Hedrich, 1922-2009
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Mary Hedrich, affectionately known as Granny to many people, was born Oct. 8, 1922, in Marikova, Czechoslovakia, and passed away Nov. 29, 2009, at the age of 87 years.
Mary immigrated to Canada with her parents and brother in 1932. They homesteaded in the Gilwood area near High Prairie, where her three sisters were later born. After finishing Grade 8 in school, Mary got a job in Whitelaw, AB.
In 1941 she met her future husband, Edward, and on Feb. 2, 1942, they were married and settled on the Hedrich farm in Faust, where she lived for 66 years until her passing.
Together, Mary and Edward operated a mixed farm, supplying the local residents with fresh milk, cream, butter, eggs and garden produce. Mary is still referred to as the cream and/or egg lady.
Mary looked forward, with great joy, to the spring when the baby chicks arrived from the hatchery. She took great pleasure in sitting on a bag of chick starter for hours, watching the fluffy little chicks scratching and chirping in their new home.
Mary and Edward led an active social life. Dancing was their passion. This included walking to Kinuso for dancing and then hoboing the train back to the farm in time for the morning chores.
In 1946, their first daughter, Irene, was born. Two years later their son, Edwin, arrived and – oops – six years later their second daughter, Lauren, was born.
Mary had a full life including traveling to different parts of Canada, Reno and Sin City. In 1977, the highlight of her travels was returning to her birth place of Marikova, with her brother and sister-in-law and meeting relatives, some for the very first time.
Mary was a member of the Faust Royal Purple for 53 years. Her volunteering was endless: cooking, baking, bingos, perogy and cabbage roll making, participating in walk-a-thons in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and much more.
Although Mary’s life was busy on the farm, when she reached her senior years, there was no grass growing under her feet, as now she was floor curling, bowling, playing bocce ball and cards, and hanging out with her friends, which included stops at the occasional casino. Her love of gardening still continued and she always had a seed tucked in her pocket to fill am empty spot in her already overcrowded garden.
Mary’s greatest pride was her children, nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She always knew what their favourite treat was, and made sure those treats were available whenever they were coming to visit.
When you came to Granny’s house you felt like a member of the family with her generosity and unconditional love. Most of you sitting here today have been recipients of that love and generosity. You all know you never left Granny’s place hungry. The counter was always loaded with baked goodies and her cookie jar was always full.
Mary is survived by: her three children, Irene, Edwin (Audrey) and Laureen (Colin); nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; sisters Arne (Arne) and Margaret (Marshall); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Surviving members of Irene’s family include: Stacey, Valmont, Michao and Shanelle; and Kelly, Jamie and Kelby.
Surviving members of Edwin’s family include: Lorin, Lyanne, Morgan and Sydney; Edward, Nadine and Irelynn; Lori, Glen, Mitchell, Ash, Lucas and Ally; Joe and Kim; Milan and Marlo.
Surviving members of Laureen’s include: Leslie and Neal; and Nickolas and Crystal.
She was predeceased by: her husband, Edward; parents John and Eva Supolik; brother Joe; and sister Emily.
Now the cookie jar is empty. Mary will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
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