Mary DemkoOctober 21, 1913 - September 7, 2011 The death of Mrs. Mary (nee Cheliak) Demko of Humboldt, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. She was 97 year of age. Mary was born on October 21, 1913, to Wasyl and Dora (nee Shawaga) Cheliak at home on their farm near Cudworth, SK. The family relocated to a farm near Prud'homme, SK, and Mary attended Prud'homme School. She had to quit school in Grade 6 because her mother was very ill and she was needed to help raise her siblings. Eventually, Mary met Fred Demko and, on August 5, 1939, they were married at Sacred Heart of Jesus U.C. Church near Dana, SK. Their life together saw them move to many locations with Fred working for the C.N.R. Some of those communities were Radisson, Wakaw, Prud'homme, Crooked River and, eventually, they made their home in Humboldt, where Mary was employed at the Humboldt Café, Humboldt Bowling Alley, Pioneer Restaurant, as a seamstress at Richmond's Department Store, and in the concession at the Frolic Center Dance Hall for George and Emily Klimosko. Always a very busy and hard-working lady, she also did a lot of sewing at home for other people and businesses. Fred died in 1969. Mary continued to work until 1979. In her retirement years, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, knitting, doing puzzles, bowling, and playing cards at the New Horizon Senior Citizens Hall. A person of strong faith, Mary's religious convictions played a huge role in her life. She and Fred had been instrumental in starting All Saints U.C. Church in Humboldt. Mary was also a member of St. Augustine Parish for 42 years and of the C.W.L. Her greatest source of joy and pride was her family, whom she loved very deeply. She spent innumerable winters with them and enjoyed the trips they all made to Hawaii and Disneyland. "She was the best Mother and Baba." Mary will be lovingly remembered by her three children, eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson: Lydia (Roman) Kisil of New Westminster, BC, and family, Greg (Heather) Kisil of Kamloops, BC, and their children, Dustin and Jamayca, Colleen (Randy) Worms of Port Moody, BC and their children Gordon, Michael and Lindsay, Tracey (Gary) Sokolan of Humboldt and their children Joshua and Matthew, and Debbie (Ray) Mariani of Burnaby, BC, and their children Desirée and Madison; Ernie (Louise) Demko of Chilliwack, BC, and family, Kelly (Candice) Demko of Langley, BC, and their children Sage, Sean and his son Philly, and Lisa (Sheldon) Baron of Abbotsford, BC, and their son Kyle; and Sonia (Dale) Just of Humboldt and family, Jackie (Kevin) Sundvall of Calgary, AB, and their daughter Megan, and Cory (Bri) Just of Ancaster, ON, and their children Shaelyn and Eric; one brother, Steve Chelliak of Meadow Lake, SK; two sisters-in-law: Mackie Cheliak of Saskatoon and Toni Cheliak of West Vancouver, BC; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Fred Demko; one great-grandchild, Gordon Pollock; parents, Wasyl and Dora (nee Shawaga) Cheliak; five brothers: John (Mary) Cheliak, Dmytro (Anne) Cheliak, Harry (Bernice) Cheliak, Mike Cheliak, and Fred Cheliak; one sister, Anne (John) Ross; and by sister-in-law, Ann Cheliak. The Prayer Service for Mary was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Friday, September 9, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., led by Nestor Trach and organist Darlene Cash. Scripture readers were Megan Sundvall and Louise Demko, and the eulogy was delivered by Jackie Sundvall. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Matthew Sokolan, cross bearer; Colleen Worms and Tracey Sokolan, scripture readers; Louise Demko, intentions; Tracey Sokolan and Colleen Worms, gift bearers. Music ministry was provided by Matthew Sokolan and the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. An honor guard was formed by members of the C.W.L. Honorary pallbearers were Colleen Worms, Randy Worms, Ray Mariani, Tracey Sokolan, Debbie Mariani, and Lisa Baron. Active pallbearers were Greg Kisil, Gary Sokolan, Kelly Demko, Jackie Sundvall, Cory Just and Joshua Sokolan. Interment followed at All Saints U.C. Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorial donations may be directed to the Humboldt District Hospital Spiritual Endowment Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
