It is with great sadness the Urban family announces the passing of Mary Urban, 91 years old of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It was very important for Mary to spend her last days in her own home with her son Rob and daughter-in-law Rhonda by her side during her passing. “Home Sweet Home”, she always said.
Mary was born in Foam Lake Saskatchewan to Pearl and Peter Rudey. She moved to Fort William at an early age. She worked at Whites and Tamblyn Drugstores, later finding her passion at Reitman’s Clothing Store working her way up to manager. In 1990 she retired after 25 years.
Mary was an avid curler. In 1967 for the first time ever their ladies team won the right to represent Port Arthur in the Northwestern Playdowns in Terrace Bay. Mary and Reg loved to garden, having two huge gardens that they enjoyed. They both loved spending summers on the lake fishing with their good friends and family. Mary was a proud member of the Lady’s Shrine Club and volunteered her time working at the Shrine Circus.
Reg and Mary (Rudey) married on June 14, 1951 in Fort William, being happily married for 62 years. Rob fondly remembers travelling with his parents in their truck and camper through Canada and the United States visiting family. Mary was a very athletic mother, spending many hours in their backyard playing baseball with her son.
Mary’s greatest joys were her 2 grandchildren, Trevor and Jonah, spending many summers at the family camp in Ignace. The boys learnt to fish, spent time boating and building sandcastles on the beach with Baba and Gedo. Christmas traditions were building gingerbread houses covered in candy and making blueberry pies with her grandkids. She was a loving wife, mother and doting Baba who will be missed by all.
Survived by her son Rob; daughter-in-law Rhonda (Rogalski); grandchildren, Trevor and Jonah; sister, Gladys Hrankowski, and brother-in-law Orest Woroniuk.
Predeceased by her parents, Peter and Pearl Rudey; her brothers, Willie, Taras, Morris, Eugene and Michael Rudey; her sisters Verna Woroniuk, Nettie Hlewka, Olga Skiehar, Kay and Verona; brother-in-laws, John Skiehar, Carol Hrankowski and James Hlewka.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at Harbourview Funeral Centre with Rev. Gordon Holroyd officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to service time starting at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Should friends and family so desire, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
