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Vol. 9, No. 42, Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Michelle Pinon Photo
Mary Homenick, middle, celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday, Aug. 14 at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Mundare. She even got up and danced with the assistance of staff Tracy Mayowski,left, and Effie Lakusta, right.
Celebration of a Century for Mary Homenick
Michelle Pinon Editor
Mary Homenick doesn’t look her age. She doesn’t act her age either. That’s a great thing otherwise Mary wouldn’t have been dancing at her 100th birthday party this past Friday. You could see the sparkle in her eyes and smile on her face as she took a bit of a twirl with the aid of Effie Lakusta and ..... following a formal celebration at Mary Immaculate Extended Car e in Mundar e on Aug. 14. Also by her side wer e daughters Olga Dubuc and Eileen Leffler. Also in attendance for the milestone occasion were Sylvie and Dennis Dubuc, Albert Shulha and Donna Keeler, as well fellow residents, staff and other well wishers. Described as witty, smart and sharp, the centenari-
an didn’t want a lot of praise lavished on her , but it couldn’t be helped as ther e were many things to say about this incr edible woman. “Mom said to keep it short. We always listened to her ...right Olga?” said sister Eileen. Mary was the seventh child born to Magdalene and Harry Bilyk. “Appar ently grandma wanted to baptize her as ‘Slawka’, but the priest said no, this is the feast day of the Virgin Mary, so she should be called Mary. And so it was.” Mary was one of 10 childr en, and while not much is known about her early life, Eileen said Mary loved to sing, read and ride horses. She attended Myroslow School, and wanted to continue on after Grade 8, but couldn’t as she was needed to help out at home. She also attended Borschiw Church with her family. When Mary was 18 she married Joseph Homenick, and they began farming in the Camr ose area. “We later made a few moves, first to Holden, then to
Strome, where we owned a r estaurant, and then to Vegreville, where we owned the V egreville Cafe. Later Dad worked in the lumber yar d and Mom cooked and cater ed in a number of r estaurants,” added Eileen. Mary was very involved with the Holy T rinity Church in Vegreville. She was presented with a long service award from the UCWL for over 50 years of service. As well she was on the executive for the building of St. Anne’s Manor, and spent many years working around the altar , cleaning, taking car e of linens, arranging flowers, and was always ther e whenever there was a need, noted Eileen. She decided to move to Father Filas Manor around six years ago, and later moved to Marry Immaculate. Members of the hospital auxiliary presented gifts. special blessings were bestowed upon her by Chaplin .....and Sister Martha, and she was pr esented with a framed certificate from Pope Francis.