Obituary of Mary Moldovan

Mary passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 10, 2020 after her family was present to say final goodbyes the evening of January 9, 2020. Born and raised on a farm near Ormiston, Sask. Mary was the eldest of ten born to Stephen and Maria Christbason. She helped around the farm and from an early age assisted her mother with the cooking of meals and looking after the younger children. Mary met George Moldovan and they were married in Flintoft, Saskatchewan on October 16, 1947 and eventually settled in Regina where they had two boys. She worked for a time as a nurses’ aide at the Pasqua Hospital and later at the Sears Warehouse. Mary was a dedicated member of the St. George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral. The Church became her second family, as she sang in the choir and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She worked many hours tirelessly in the church kitchen for church dinners, funerals, fowl suppers, bake sales as well as spending many summers at the Regina Exhibition working in the Church’s Food Booth as well back at the Church’s kitchen. She also worked for many years at the Regina Ballroom where she catered countless church functions, weddings and the Mosaic Festival. Once the boys were on their own if they ever wanted to reach Mom, if she wasn’t at home, they would call the church first and if she wasn’t there, they would be able to find her at the Regina Ballroom. Mary was a devoted loving mother to her two sons, as she became a widow at the very young age of 45 when her husband George passed away. She spent all her time and energy on raising them and selflessly gave up so much to make sure they were well taken care of. Mary was a great cook; as she had learned how to create many of the family recipes she had made as a young girl on the family farm. Her house was not large, but her heart was, as her home always seemed to be the gathering place for family and friends. There was never a shortage of food or desserts as she was always able to whip up fantastic meals with whatever was on hand. But cooking wasn’t her only talent as she was also an accomplished seamstress, sewing many items of clothing for the boys, as well as quilting blankets, knitting afghans and crocheting. Mary was predeceased by her husband George (1969); parents, Stephen and Maria; brothers, Steve and Johnny, and sisters, Pearl, Jeannie, Lena and Shirley Ann (in infancy.) She is survived by her son Richard (Carol); granddaughters, Corrie (Patrick Fogarty) and Krystal (Christopher Gartner), and great-grandchildren; Keegan and Declan Fogarty and Addison Gartner. Son Robert (Jean Ann); grandson Chris Jelinski (Michelle); and great-grandchildren, Nychole and Brandon Jelinski, her sister Eleanor White; brothers, George Christbason (Shirley) and William Christbason (Wendy); sister-in-law Marlene Christbason; along with many special nieces and nephews. The family would like to send heartfelt thanks to Johncel Germanico and the many staff members at Extendicare Sunset who treated Mom like family; and provided compassionate care to her for close to nine years and in her final hours. Funeral Service will be held at St. Georges Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, 2005 Edgar Street, Regina SK. on Friday January 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Emmanuel Cristian Frunzulica officiating. Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Sunset Extendicare, 260 Sunset Drive, Regina, SK, S4S 2S3 or to St. Georges Romanian Orthodox Cathedral would be appreciated.