Mary (Chepak) Kodnar

It is with great sadness that we accept the passing of Mary (Chepak) Kodnar on February 1, 2026, the day after her 90th birthday.

She is survived by her two daughters, Linda and Lorie; her grandson Erik (Madeline); her great-granddaughter Jessie Jane; her sister Helen; her niece Anna; and her cousin Peter (Sharon).

Mary arrived in Canada at six months old with her parents from Ukraine, where they homesteaded near Libau, Manitoba. Her father, Nicolas Chepak, was known for trading pork and eggs for fish with neighboring First Nations families, while her mother, Annie Lubin, persevered through the hardships of prairie living in 1936. Mary often recalled life on the farm—being chased by mean roosters (who later became Sunday dinner), and her special dog Jackie, who somehow knew she was on her way home from school when she was still two miles away. These early experiences—living off the land and forming deep connections with nature—shaped her lifelong passion for gardening. She understood seasonal patterns and cycles, and the importance of soil (not dirt!) ecology, knowledge she generously shared with family and friends. All creatures were welcome in her garden, from bees and bats to bobcats.

When her mother became ill, the family left the farm and moved to Toronto. Mary attended school and worked at soda-style cafés to earn spending money, and all while taking on many of her mother’s responsibilities at home, caring for her younger sister Helen and her brother Richard (predeceased). Unfortunately, tuberculosis complicated her health, and she spent a year and a half recovering in a sanatorium outside Toronto. During this hard time, Mary still had many suitors; however, Fred remained devoted throughout her recovery. He kept in contact, proposed, and they married.

Mary loved the outdoors. She enjoyed fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, and cycling, as well as traveling to beaches in Hawaii, Mexico, and Florida, and spending winters in Arizona and California lawn bowling. She embraced her lawn bowling community, developing her skills and competing in events.

She was an incredible seamstress, skilled at matching difficult plaids and stripes, creating box buttonholes, and completing intricate work such as petit point, cross-stitch, decoupage, and paper flower arrangements. Her attention to detail and patience made her a valued employee of the lingerie department at Sears, where she enjoyed working part-time for 27 years. Beyond the many colorful stories from a lingerie department, she was professionally trained to fit women with prosthetics—clients were deeply grateful for her care and kindness.

Mary was a fantastic cook, she nourished her family with love. Family and guests always looked forward to Mary's homecooked meals. There was always a soup on the stove, winter or summer, along with countless wholesome, from-scratch dishes—often garden to table. Her ancestors idealized original wheat, and she believed that the foundation of love was in providing quality food. Learning her methods in the kitchen could be both challenging and frustrating. While cooking, she discouraged interruptions or questions, for fear of losing her timing and flow. There were always goodies available for Fred and Erik. Her grandson Erik is quoted saying, “Grandpa doesn't want to go out for dinner, because he eats at the best restaurant in town at home!”

Mary read all of the James Michener books. She also “kind of” liked horror movies—preferring to watch them only with Fred. Their first movie date was The Thing. She loved a varity of music and she always had Music playing in the background: rock, country, easy listening, piano classics, and symphonies.

When the Kodnar family moved from Toronto to Calgary in 1969, Fred drove and arrived first. Mary followed by air with Linda and Lorie, along with a cat named Boots and Brownie the guinea pig tucked into her purse. She had the final say in choosing the new family home.

Mary had a distinctive chuckle she used when she preferred not to reveal her thoughts, opinions, or disapproval. This drove her grandson crazy. She is known to have said to him she would "ride shotgun should the need arise" (!), and that she would always be there for him, no matter what.

She enjoyed observing children of all ages, especially teenagers. She found joy and amusement in watching them try on different personalities and exploring how to be in the world. They trusted her—perhaps a sign of a missed calling to work with young people.

Properly fitting shoes were a must for her family, and she carefully “tested” new dentists and doctors before giving her approval. She learned bookkeeping and basic interior design, stuffed newspapers into cabin rafters to keep out mosquitoes, mastered cooking on wood stoves, and had no trouble putting worms on hooks.

Later, her driving skills became questionable, but her mind remained clear.

Mary had grit, kindness, and loyalty.

Her most defining quality was her gentle touch. Whether petting a cat, making a sandwich, arranging flowers, or sowing seeds, her touch was always soft and loving. She was known for her beautiful smile—noticed by friends, family, and care workers alike. When she smiled, everyone felt at ease. If she had a middle name, it would be Grace. 

She is lovingly missed.