Mary Wakaluk (Chalifoux), 1933-2007

Mary Wakaluk, of Watino, Alta., was born April 28, 1933 in Heart River, Alta., and passed away in Kauai, Hawaii on Feb. 25, 2007 at the age of 74 years. Mary was the first child of Pierre and Helen Chalifoux, and the eldest sister to Emily, Edward, Florence, Peter, Lloyd, Rita, Howard, Henry, Ron and Jerry. She was raised in McLennan. Mary and Ilia (Alex) Wakaluk were married on Dec 28, 1951. They made their first home in a section house in Culp, Alta. and soon afterward welcomed their first son, George. Anna came along in 1957 and Helen in 1961. In 1963 Mary and Alex decided to expand and bought another farm in Culp. It was here that Peter was born in 1964 and Marie in 1973. In 1975 Alex retired from the railroad and the family moved from Culp to Watino. It was here that Alex built Mary the new house that she always wanted. Mary always had beautiful, huge gardens and would frequently sell her produce to friends and neighbours. She always had a knitting project on the go and never refused requests for another pair of slippers or mittens. She took pride in cooking big meals for her family complete with lots of perogies and cabbage rolls. At the age of 68 Mary bought her first set of golf clubs in order to keep up with her grandchildren who loved the sport. She learned to golf and had fun with all her children on the Eaglesham Lakeside Golf Course. It was also at this time that Mary began traveling with her children, and she loved it. Her travels included the Bennett Dam, Vancouver Island, Florida, the Bahamas, California, the Caribbean, Vegas, Alaska, and also cruising down the muddy Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans. On this steamboat cruise, she got to see the Grand Ole Opry, Graceland and the house where Elvis was born. Mom loved Elvis and this had always been her dream. On Feb. 25, while cruising the Hawaiian Islands with her daughter Marie, Jeremy and newest grandson Nolan, Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep. Mary will be lovingly missed by: her son, George Wakaluk, of Watino; daughter Anna (Joe) Belyan, of High Prairie, and grandsons Chris and Michael; daughter Helen (Carmon) Sandquist, of High Prairie, grandson Mark and granddaughter Shanon; son Peter Wakaluk, of Watino; grandson Harlan, of Fox Creek, Alta.; and daughter Marie (Jeremy) Janz, of Grande Prairie, grandson Nolan, and Nolan’s shih tzu, Mylo, as well as many relatives and friends. She was predeceased by: her husband, Ilia (Alex) Wakaluk in 1994. Mary lived her life with love, peace and joy, with a strong work ethic and with pride and spirituality. She dearly loved her family; her grandchildren were very special to her as were all children. She always appreciated and remembered her family, friends and acquaintances. She leaves her legacy of love for family, friends and neighbours and her positive uplifting attitude towards life. The funeral service and burial were held in McLennan on March 9. If we can find comfort in Mary’s passing, it is to know that she is now reunited with those who have passed before her, including her beloved Alex, her parents, Pierre and Helen, her brother Peter and several other family members. Though she has been gone for just a short time, Mary now roams the hallways of Heaven wearing the wings she had already earned while here on Earth. Sail on, Mary, and may you be an eternal bloom in God’s garden.

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