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 Mary Sophie Henschel 1935-2010 Mary Henschel of Gundy, Alberta, was born Mary Sophie Nestorovich in Jarvie, Alberta in 1935. She was one of 5 sisters and 6 brothers. They lived on a farm, and attended the Cedar Creek School. She learned to dance from her older brother John, and met her future husband Al Henschel at a country dance in Jarvie. They were married June 17, 1954. They had three children, Carol and Doug, born in Westlock, Alberta, and baby brother Mike, born in Fort St John, B.C. Al and Mary spent several years in the Yukon Territory because of Al’s job with CN. They moved along the highway, mile 1083, 1167, 1202, and as far as Mayo, 245 miles north of Whitehorse on the Klondike Loop. In 1963, they returned to civilization in the city of Dawson Creek. They lived in town until 1986. They became country folk in Gundy, Alberta on a small farm that sits on the edge of the BC/Alberta border. Imagine the surprise they created by moving into a geodesic domed house! Everyone refers to it as the “round house”. They started out with 2 cows that Mary named Billy and Ginger (aka Rib Eye and T Bone)! She continued to name every calf born on the farm, but she could never eat them. Mom enjoyed her sports. She would faithfully watch baseball, hockey and curling games on TV. She played catcher in a recreational baseball league for several years. She was also the ultimate hockey mom for her 2 boys. Countless hours were spent driving to games, cooking perogies as a fundraiser for the team, and cheering them on in the old arena. She also coached a peewee hockey team called the Canadiens one year when there weren’t enough minor hockey coaches. She was employed at the McLeod’s store in Dawson Creek for many years. She was the one person who knew where every tool, bolt and “whatcha m’callit” was in the store. Even though she ended up as the bookkeeper in the office, she could still find you what you needed. Her specialty was the plumbing fixtures. Most farm people know the 4H’s, Head, Heart, Hands and Health. Mary had her own system of counting what was important. We refer to them as the 5 “F”s. The first would be Family. Those of you, who have been to the house in Gundy, know that there are pictures of family everywhere, and new ones always being added, as her extended family grew. Several camping trips with her brothers and sisters to go fishing were so important to her these past few years. There has also been a string of Nestorovich family reunions to help keep those family ties strong, the cards flying, and stories passed on. Defending her title as the reigning Horseshoe champion was a pride. Mom’s second F would be Food. So many family celebrations centered on traditional family recipes for things like perogies and cabbage rolls, favorite desserts and her special secret recipe for the flakiest piecrusts ever. She always cooked enough for a threshing crew. This was ingrained in mom by her mom, from her habit of always offering something to eat whenever someone would stop in to visit. Mom still has stashes of goodies in her freezer “just in case” someone stops in for coffee. Next on the list at number 3 is Friends. The neighbours from their house up on 17th Street, the crowd of fellow parents from minor hockey, as well, there are those special friends and neighbours from the Gundy area. So many of you took the time to come and help the time pass for Mom while she was in the hospital, bringing treats and flowers to brighten her room, and share a story or some news with her. F number 4 would have to be Flowers. She was always collecting and saving seeds wherever she went. She would plant them in her yard and try to save them from becoming deer food. Last Easter, we finally got her to come to Palm Desert in California. She absolutely loved the bougainvillea and humming birds that were all around the condo. She was also aghast at the fact that they would soon be pulling out the “winter flowers” – petunias, snapdragons, and pansies to plant the “summer flowers”. “That’s crazy! They still have lots of flowers left!” she said. And she wanted to go collect snapdragon seeds growing in the boulevard before they yanked them out! Finally, in at number 5 is Fortune. Mom had a bit of a gambling streak. She loved to play the lottery, and occasionally hit a casino or bingo game. She would always win a little something every time she bought tickets. Most of the time she would just reinvest her winnings, hoping to hit the big one. She said if she ever did, she would set up a home for needy children. She was known to share her fortune, and would often say, “go to my wallet and get a brown one” and then give it to one of her grandkids. Mary is survived by her husband Al and partner for 55 years, her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grand child, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, and countless nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. A celebration and tribute of Mary’s life was held on Saturday January 9 at 2 pm at Bergeron’s Funeral chapel with cremation following. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mary can be made by way of donation to: Dawson Creek and District Hospital Cancer Unit 11100-13 St, Dawson Creek BC V1G 4T1 or the Canadian Cancer Society 1000 105 Ave, Dawson Creek BC V1G 2L Memorial arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd, Dawson Creek, British Columbia 250-782-2577or toll free 1(800)577-4877 |
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Dawson Creek: (250)
782-2577 Serving Fort St. John |
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