Obituary of Mary Esther Puchala

Mary Esther Puchala of Yorkton entered eternal rest peacefully on February 19, 2022. She was 90 years of age. Mary was born August 18, 1931, the fifth of seven children born to Anton and Tekla (Dernewsky) Puchala. Mary grew up on the family farm in the Rhein district. She attended the nearby Kitzman School and completed her schooling at Sacred Heart Academy in Yorkton, graduating in 1950. After taking a year off to help on the farm, Mary went to Moose Jaw where she earned a teaching certificate. She accepted a position at Angove School, near Stornoway, teaching 38 students in grades 1 through 10. In her first year on the job, Mary organized a Christmas concert at the school, and that’s when she met Anton Diduck. They were married July 18, 1953. Mary taught for one more year before becoming a full-time farm wife and homemaker. On New Year’s Day 1955, Mary gave birth to twins, Gloria and Greg. Adrienne followed in 1957 and Sheldon in 1964. Mom was a hard-working woman who grew a large garden which produced more than enough to feed her family through the years. She loved picking mushrooms and wild berries and stocking shelves with jars for the winter. She milked cows, raised chickens, and fed pigs. She was always busy at home providing meals for her family and the many hired men on the farm. After Mary and Anton parted ways in 1995, she made her home in Yorkton where she continued to bless her family and friends with happy memories and meals made with love. When she wasn’t able to host everyone in her home, Mom was always willing to take on the very important job of bringing a roaster or two of cabbage rolls which everyone always loved. For several years during that time, she was a boarding home operator for mental health patients. In 2015, Mom moved to Queen Elizabeth Court. At first, she worried about meeting people in a new place at her age, but she quickly developed a circle of friends with whom she shared meals, card games, stories, and memories. Faith, traditions, and holidays were important to Mom. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was loved and will be deeply missed. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Anton and Tekla; siblings Paul, Martin (Suzanne), Alex (Beatrice), Helen (Mervin); brother-in-law John Achtemichuk; son-in-law Bruce Wonchulanko; and numerous other family members. She leaves to treasure her memory and celebrate her life: