December 1, 1917 - April 26, 2020
Maria (Mary) Firkus, age 102, died on April 26, 2020, in the Glenwood Care Centre in Agassiz, BC.
Born on December 1, 1917 in the coal mining town of Coleman, Alberta to Harry and Anna (Kyryluk) Rawluk, Mary was the third of six children. She was the first to marry which was to Ambrose Firkus in 1937 and she had two sons: Ronnie and Gordon in addition to her stepchildren from Ambrose's first marriage: Albert, Clifford, Joyce and Keith.
Mary moved to Chilliwack with her husband Ambrose and youngest son Gordon in 1957 where she established deep roots in community and stayed until her final years when she moved to a care facility in nearby Agassiz.
Mary personified strength of character, sharp mind, and being grounded. While not having an opportunity for a formal education, she was extremely bright and skilled at playing everything from piano, crib, or trivial pursuit. She was incredibly talented at cross-stitch while also being the ringleader for her bridge group for many years. She loved to travel and explore whether with family or friends but always made sure to not be an inconvenience to anyone. She was a long-serving member of the hospital auxiliary - always willing to volunteer her time for causes greater than her own. From such a modest upbringing, she was an incredible force and role model to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
Her legacy is more much than the people that exist because of her. Mary showed through her spirit, will and her down-to-earth approach to life that one does not need to be in the spotlight to make an extraordinarily positive impact on the world. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services are unfortunately on hold given COVID-19. The Firkus family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at Glenwood Care Centre in Agassiz for taking such good care of her in her final years. Mary was cremated and will have her ashes laid to rest alongside her husband Ambrose in Chilliwack.