Mary Lizewski

Mary Lizewski (nee Vasil) passed away on October 6th, 2024, at Agecare Riverview in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Mary was pre-deceased by her first husband (Stefan Sevcik), her second husband (Dr. Waldemar Lizewski), her parents (Paul and Susan Vasil), her brother (Michael Vasil), and her grandson (Stephen Sevcik).

Mary is survived by her son, Paul Sevcik (Jodi) of Medicine Hat, Alberta and her daughter in law, Maureen Moul of Calgary, Alberta.

Over the course of her ninety-three-year life's journey, Mary was the epitome of character strength and determination, career dedication and professionalism, personal growth and creativity, and human kindness and compassion.

Born in 1931 in Toronto, Ontario, Mary curtailed her secondary school education to stay home and care for her ailing mother. After resuming and completing her education at business college, Mary embarked on a career that saw her advance from stenographer to secretary to executive assistant.

Over the years, Mary worked for several major corporations in the Canadian business community and was an active member of Executive Secretaries International (later Executive Women International), including a term as President of the organization’s Canadian chapter.

At the time of her retirement, Mary was the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman at Bank of Montreal.

Mary was raised in the Slovak community in Toronto and was an active member of various groups and societies at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. There, she met and married her first husband, Stefan Sevcik.

Widowed at age 36, Mary focused on raising her son and continuing her career. At the same time, Mary began an odyssey of personal creativity and development that saw no night school course untried.

Over time, Mary’s home became the repository of re-upholstered sofas and chairs, oil paintings, decoupage wall hangings, numerous hand-crafted items, re-finished tables, and several room makeovers experimenting with textures ranging from sponge-painted to grass cloth wallpaper-covered walls… all lovingly created with her own hands.

 After her son graduated and moved to Alberta to begin his working career, Mary expanded her social life through her network of friends from work, church, and community.

Eventually, Mary married her second husband, Dr. Waldemar Lizewski. Together, they enjoyed years of happiness (including being present for the birth of Mary’s grandson, Stephen, in Richmond, B.C. in 1994).

After being widowed for a second time, Mary eventually moved to Alberta to be closer to her son and his family, where she enjoyed her time being “Baba” to her grandson.

As her health began to decline, Mary spent her remaining years at Meadow Ridge Seniors Village and, most recently, at Agecare Riverview, both in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

We wish to extend our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff at both of Mary’s last homes; the professionalism, care and compassion with which Mary was treated made the end of her life’s journey as comfortable as could be.

At the family’s request, no service will be held.

Those wishing to honour Mary’s memory are urged to donate their time or other resources to an agency of their choice which supports people in need.

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