Mary Magdalena Mazurek
May 24, 1937 – July 11, 2026
Mary Mazurek lived a remarkable life defined by love, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, on July 11, 2026, at the age of 89.
Born in the Glaslyn District of Saskatchewan on May 24, 1937, Mary was the beloved daughter of Simon Peter Schmidt and Veronica Katherine (Wack) Schmidt. She grew up surrounded by the love and liveliness of a large family with thirteen siblings: Margaret Schmidt, Valentine Schmidt, Anastasia (Alvin) St. Marie, Anton (Sally) Schmidt, George (Shirley) Schmidt, Gustav (Helga) Schmidt, Elizabeth (Tom) Robertson, Joseph (Sandra) Schmidt, Paul (Millie) Schmidt, Rosemary (Clem) Moser, Minard Schmidt, John (Barbara) Schmidt, and Ralph (Susan) Schmidt.
The values she learned during those early years stayed with her throughout her life, shaping the hardworking, resilient, and generous woman so many came to know and love. She often shared fond memories of life on the farm, the horses she loved, and the adventures shared with her siblings. She was predeceased by her parents, twelve of her siblings, and her husband of 56 years, Horace Mazurek. She leaves behind her cherished brother, John, along with
many beloved nieces and nephews.
As a young woman, Mary moved to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, with her sister Margaret and their best friend, Annette (Nault) Edgelow, beginning the next chapter of her life. It was there that she met her husband, Horace Mazurek. Together they built a home and raised their family, creating lifelong friendships and countless memories.
Mary was the proud mother of four children: Kevin, Dean (Charlene), Wendel, and Shelley (Quinn). She was a deeply loved grandmother to Whitney Mazurek, Jennifer (Mike) MacDonald, Shalynn Leasak, Kailey Leasak, Dalton Mazurek, Alyssa Mazurek, Jayden Mazurek, Jocelyn Mazurek, and Kiera Mazurek, and was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother to August and Roshani MacDonald.
After raising their family in North Battleford, Mary and Horace embraced a new adventure in 1996 when they moved to Sylvan Lake, Alberta. There, they built a beautiful home that quickly became the heart of family gatherings. It was thoughtfully designed with room for every child and grandchild to visit, creating countless
treasured memories together. Mary’s flower gardens became well known throughout the community, admired by all who passed by. In 2012, Mary and Horace made Cochrane, Alberta, their final home, where they remained surrounded by the love of their family.
Mary found joy in life’s simple pleasures, such as tending to her beautiful flower gardens, baking for those she loved, and spending precious time with her family. Her home was a place of belonging, comfort, laughter, beauty, and unconditional love.
Mary had a gift for creating beautiful things. Whether she was knitting blankets that would become treasured keepsakes for her grandchildren, carefully cross-stitching handkerchiefs and kitchen towels during quiet night shifts at the hospital, tending to her flowers, or baking for those she loved, everything she made reflected the care and pride she poured into it. One of her most cherished pieces was a beautifully cross-stitched portrait of her parents—a work of patience, talent, and love that perfectly reflected who she was.
Mary understood the value of hard work, was deeply grateful for life’s many blessings, and never took them for granted. That gratitude shaped the way she lived. Her first instinct was always to share, giving generously—not because she had excess, but because caring for others was simply part of who she was.
If love could be measured by the lives it touched, Mary’s would know no bounds. To be cared for by Mary was one of life’s greatest gifts. Her love was unwavering, selfless, and unconditional, and those fortunate enough to receive it were forever changed by it. She taught us that love was found in the simplest moments, such as a warm meal waiting on the table, flowers blooming in the garden, a batch of cinnamon buns made just because, an afternoon spent working on a puzzle together while cheering on her favourite sports teams, or a phone call to make sure you arrived home safely. Her homemade cinnamon buns and perogies became family traditions. Mary’s deep freeze was the family treasure chest, always stocked with homemade tarts, pies, cookies, muffins, and countless other treats ready for whoever stopped by. Just beyond it, her cold room stood as a testament to her hard work, its shelves lined with carefully preserved fruits and vegetables, including the canned pears that were simply unforgettable. You never left her home empty-handed and always with a full heart. Those moments became our greatest treasures.
To her family, Mary was so much more than a mother and grandmother. She was the heart of our family—the one who brought us together, cared for us without question, celebrated our victories, carried us through our hardships, and loved us in a thousand quiet ways. Mary offered wisdom when it was needed most, and gave endlessly of herself without ever expecting anything in return. Her grace and selflessness shaped generations of her family. She leaves behind shoes that can never be filled, but a legacy of love that will continue through the people she leaves behind.
While our hearts are broken, they are forever better because they were shaped by hers. When the first birds return each spring and the flowers begin to bloom once again, we’ll think of Mary. We will feel her love in the recipes she taught us, that we still cannot quite make like she did. We will carry her with us in the values she quietly taught us every day.
In keeping with Mary and Horace’s wishes, the family will hold a private burial of ashes at a later date, when they will be laid to rest together. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Mary’s memory may consider making a donation or an act of kindness in her name.

• Date : 2026-08-17
• Location : Cochrane, AB