Mary (Smook) Tanchak

It is with profound sadness and abundance of love that we mourn the passing of our mother, Baba, great Baba, great great Baba, sister, aunt, sister-in-law and friend. Mary passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Mary Smook was born in the De Salaberry District, between St. Malo and Rosa on January 19, 1930. Mourning her loss are her 5 children, Lillian, Peter (Gloria), Marilyn (Wade), Lavina, and Valerie (Darren); grandchildren, Jason (Bethany), Bryan (Janine), Melanie, Steven, David (Shelley), Cassandra (Matt), Aleysha (Brandon), Raymond (Ramona), Devin, Sabrina (Kyle), and Teah; great grandchildren, Mariah, Trenton, Victoria, Bailey, Tyson, Mason, Nathan, Morgan (Anthony), Owen, and Luke; great great grandchildren, Atlas, Adaline, and Lyla; sister Lena, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her love of her life, Peter, her daughter Leona, her brothers, Dan, Harry and Bruce (Boris), her loving parents, Wasyl Smook and Anne Faryna, daughter-in-law Bonnie; grandson Allan; and great grandson, Brandon.

Mary lived her life in Rosa and Roseau River, Manitoba area.

Mary attended Avon School until Grade 8, took grades 9 and 10 by correspondence course and attended Baskerville school for 2 years.

In 1947 Mary met the love of her life, Peter Tanchak. Peter Tanchak and Mary Smook were married on June 19, 1948. Mary was married to Peter for 73 years of marriage and was blessed to have a long and happy marriage.

Mary was very busy on the farm, planting gardens, canning all the produce, wine making, milking cows and feeding calves, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, going out to the field and driving the tractors, loading bales on to the racks, and too many other tasks to mention. Mary worked at the St. Malo sewing factory in 1976 and was overjoyed to get her first paycheque and happily, used it for whatever she wanted to buy.

Mary was very proud of her 6 children, and their children and their children’s children, and never stopped guiding, feeding, and loving them every minute of every day.

Mary initially was Greek Orthodox, but in 1950 became a devout Jehovah’s Witness and spent many hours reading and learning the bible and sharing the faith with all who would listen.

Goodbye mom, you will forever remain in our hearts, and we are eternally grateful for all the things you did for us. We know you no longer feel pain, or suffering, we will miss you dearly but know that you are at peace.

Спочивай з миром

Rest in Peace

Our family would like to thank the Chalet, Malouin Staff in St. Malo, and the Rest Haven Care Home, for their exceptional care and genuine respect, for which we extend our heartfelt appreciation.

Please join us in celebrating her life on September 20, 2026. The Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. and a service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Crossings Funeral Care, 12E - 40 North Gate Road, Steinbach, MB.

For those unable to attend, the family invites you to join them via livestream at the link below.

Interment will follow at the Dominion City Cemetery, please note that the entrance is off Waddell Avenue.