Sawatzky – Mary (Toots) Frances Mae Sawatzky, beloved wife of the late George Sawatzky, passed away in Brooks on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at the age of 87. She was born in Treherne, Manitoba on June 27, 1928 to Stanley and Olive Wright. Her grandfather called her “Toots” and that was the name that stuck with her throughout her life. She was raised in Holland, Manitoba, and worked for the Manitoba Telephone Company, until marriage in 1948, brought her to Lethbridge. In 1961, she needed to go back to work in order to provide for her children. She worked for Alberta Government Telephone Company as an operator. She moved to Brooks in 1964 to become Chief Telephone Operator. In 1967, while playing shuffleboard, she met George Sawatzky who would become the love of her life. They were married on June 13, 1969. Mom continued to work for a year or so and then retired and moved with George to the farm in Rosemary. These would prove to be her happiest years. She really enjoyed the farm life and raised chickens and huge gardens. Together they loved to bowl, fish, curl, play cards, shuffleboard and travel as time permitted. In 1989, they sold the farm and moved into Brooks for retirement with hopes of more traveling. Unfortunately, George passed away in 1990. As always, mom adapted to her new life and became independent. She received great joy in sewing and baking for her family. Mom was famous for her unbelievable bread making skills. She also loved to knit and constantly had needles in her hands making sweaters or baby clothes. Mom knit newborn baby bonnets by the dozens and happily supplied the Brooks and Medicine Hat Hospitals for years. She volunteered at the EID Legion, where she also played shuffle court and crib weekly. Mom loved to play cards and took great delight in winning! She enjoyed traveling to BC to visit her siblings. Mom always put her family before herself. Family meant everything to her. She was so joyful to hold her great great granddaughter while she was in the hospital this year. Mom enjoyed seeing her great grandchildren and loved their personalities. Each one, to her, was so unique and she loved them and called the younger ones her “poopsies”. She was predeceased by her husband George; daughter Cynthia Stewart; granddaughter Lori Baksa; great grandson Brendan Berg; sisters Avis and Brenda and brothers Robert and Doug. Mom is survived by her son Clint (Jill) Stewart of Calgary; her daughter Cory (Randy) Baksa of Brooks and their daughters: Terra (Norm) Berg, Shannon (Cam) Drake, and Toni (Warren) Henke; her daughter Cris (Ferron) Kenmore of Medicine Hat and their family: Miranda (Johnathon) Penner, and Tyrel (Emerald) Kenmore; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; brothers Gordon (Jeannette) Wright and Lew (Helen) Wright of BC; sister-in-law, Hilda Obleman of Calgary and brother-in-law Dan (Jacquie) Sawatzky of BC and numerous nieces and nephews. To honor her request, there will be no formal service held. In memory of Toots, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the EID Legion #63, Box 967, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B8.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND
CREMATORIUM, BROOKS, ALBERTA
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