It is with profound sadness that the family of Mary (Marie) Butschler announces her passing on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Mary was born on September 11, 1928 in Weiden, Manitoba. She was one of 13 children and raised on a farm near Rorketon. In her late teens she moved to Winnipeg working at Eaton’s Catalogue Department. Within a few years she moved from Winnipeg to be near her parents and 7 siblings in Hudson, Ontario where her father was then working. Mary remained in Hudson where she met her husband Matthew and they married on August 9, 1951. Together they had 5 children, and then moved to the small northern community of Savant Lake, Ontario, while her husband worked for Koval Brothers Trucking and Distribution Company. During this time baby brother Carl was added to the family. In 1966, due to her husband’s illness, she returned to Hudson with her six children. In 1968, with her husband’s health failing, Mary made the decision to move her family to Fort William, and upon his passing, raised her children as a single parent. Her joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, planning family gatherings (especially her Birthdays), her annual spring garden displays, and being a part of St. Agnes Parish. She was proudly a member of the CWL for 60 years, of which she became President and Diocesan President, bestowing her with the gift of a spiritual and social support system! A consummate cook and baker, Mary ran a kitchen for the CLE in Thunder Bay, travelling to Ottawa providing her expertise for the same company.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Matthew Butschler, daughter Veronica Gayle, parents Annie & Paul Glena, sisters Stephanie and Olga, brothers Mike & Tony, son-in-law Vern Mihalus and Daughter-in-law Dianna Butschler.

Mary is survived by her sons Robert, Chris (Pam) and Carl (Marilyn), daughters Valerie Mihalus, MaryAnne (Syl) Menic and Diane (Desmond) Stolz, grandchildren Mathew (Nicole), Liane (Peter), Lana (Steve), Justin, Jessica, Allan, Kimberley (Eric), Kaitlyn, Kyle and Katriina, and great-grandchildren Brooke, Morgan, Emily, Miles, Violet, Sarah, and Adam.

Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Mary Butschler will be held on Monday, February 26, 2018 with family and friends gathering in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church (1019 Brown Street) for the Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening after 6:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James, with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00pm.

It was Mary’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice.