MARY GERMAIN
1929 - 2018

Mrs. Mary Patricia Germain (nee Kostynuk), age 89 years, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 14, 2018.

Mary was born on March 5, 1929 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario and grew up in Alcona on the C.N.R. Line. She went to school in Alcona, Sioux Lookout and graduated from Port Arthur Collegiate before attending North Bay Normal School, where she earned her teaching degree. Mary was a teacher at Queen Elizabeth School and was a supply teacher for many years.

She married Steve Germain in 1952. They owned and operated a dairy farm in Slate River, known as Hillview Farm, until 1985. During their lives on the farm, they raised four children and took in several foster children and boarders. Mary lived 57 years in Slate River and loved country living. She was on the Paipoonge Council for 14 years and a member of Slate River Women's Institute for over 50 years, as well as serving on many other community boards. One of Mary's proudest accomplishments was to have received the Order of Ontario and Queen Jubilee Certificate. Dear to her heart was the Mary-Go-Round, which she operated for 7 years, offering clothing, furniture etc. to everyone free of charge.

Mary loved cooking, gardening, sports, the outdoors, water colour painting and her pets, as well as her traditional Ukrainian Christmas gathering and meal. She lived life to the fullest with no regrets. Her ability and wit to tell things as they are will always be remembered.

Mary is survived by her sons Jeff (Peggy), Allan (Anne), Randy (Dorothy) and daughter Sherry Thurier (Dennis); grandchildren Greg (Rachel), Colt (Megan), Lundy (Dominica), Jaret, Shawnith, Steven, Dan and Stephanie; great-grandchildren Brittany, Hunter, Jeffrey, Kristofer, Payton and Lenni. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous close friends also survive.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Steve (1985); her parents Cathereen and Konstantine (Gus) Kostynuk and two sisters, Anna Jensen and Betty Gilbert.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hartford, Dr. Lei and Jasper Place for all of your care and support.

Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Mary Germain will be held on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 2:00pm in the Kakabeka Legion Branch #225. Interment will take place prior to the service at 1:00pm in Stanley Hill Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening from 5:00pm until 8:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James. As a tribute to Mary, the family invites those attending services to wear her favourite colour Red.

Should friends so desire, donations to the Rural Food Bank would be greatly appreciated and everyone is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the service.