In Celebration of
Mary Prochuk (nee Ksenych)
June 11, 1934 - February 27, 2026
Mary Prochuk passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on February 27, 2026 at the grand age of 91. Mary was born in Toronto, Ontario on June 11, 1934, to her mother Anna Ksenych and her father Tom Ksenych, who immigrated to Canada from Zdynia, Konieczna, Poland. Mary was joined by her beloved brother Peter Ksenych on November 19, 1936, and from that day forward they became lifelong friends and allies – an unbreakable bond was forged, founded on love and unwavering connection and support. Life was far from easy during that time in the 1930’s, characterized by financial hardship for a countless number of people, but this family, new Canadian citizens, slowly learning to communicate in “broken English”, was characterized by love, hope, friendship, a newly found community, and unwavering support for each other, their relatives, and their friends. Their home was one of happiness, security, and love, a blend of the “Old Country” and the new – a new beginning full of hope. This became the template for their descendants and their families, for the generations to come.
As a teenager, Mary met the love of her life, John Eddy Prochuk, and they were married in a joyous celebration on June 1, 1957. They were married for 37 years, and had four daughters, Linda Anne Walton, Sandra Kay Vuk (Sandie), Nancy Lynn Prochuk, and Cathy Marie Prochuk. Mary and John created a magnificent home for their family, characterized by love, happiness, security, fun, and safety – a truly safe haven to retreat to, in a sometimes harsh and difficult external world. Oh, the celebrations and parties they hosted in their home! Mary and John celebrated their family and friends often throughout every single year of their beautiful marriage – the joy, laughter, and happiness echoed throughout their home, and embraced their family and friends long after the party had ended – we eagerly anticipated the next one, which was never very far off, when family and friends would experience their very special blend of magic once again – it was joy, pure and simple joy. Family was the centerpiece of their lives, and Mary continued that legacy to the end.
Mary worked as a secretary for an insurance company in downtown Toronto, Ontario for nine years, prior to having her first daughter. They moved out of Mary’s parent’s home when the twins were just six months old, into their joyous forever home in Mississauga, Ontario, which became the hub for family and friends for over sixty years. Mary was a stay-at-home mom for many years, an avid and dedicated volunteer at her children’s schools, and later took a job at Sears Canada in her fifties. She took care of her children, her husband, her extended family, her community, and her friends with unwavering and consistent support – she was safety, always.
Mary was strong and independent, and learned as a very young girl that you do not exist only for yourself – your solemn duty is to help and support others. She often said throughout her life, “Life will make you hard – don’t let it!” Did she know hard times and suffering? Yes. Did she experience tragedy? Yes. Did she let these experiences harden her heart? No. She continued to laugh, to smile, to pick-up the pieces, to help others pick-up their pieces and to put them back together again, and to keep trying, to keep living, and to keep on finding joy – there was always light in the darkness, and there was always a reason to dance.
Mary loved her family, her friends, dancing, singing, reading, doing crossword puzzles, going to the theatre and concerts, going to restaurants, listening to music, and flowers (preferably pink flowers, but any flower would do!). She loved watching her British shows, mysteries, and the news on television. She loved to watch her family swim in her beautiful swimming pool, sitting on the backyard porch with a smile on her face, joyous.
Mary was strong, and she never complained. If she had a job to do, she questioned nothing, she just did it and got it done. Was it easy? No. She taught us that life comes with great joys and great sorrows, and everything in between, and we must accept this and live within it – the good times and the bad times. If we do not experience great sorrow, we cannot recognize and experience great joy. She experienced both, countless times throughout her long life, and she remained steadfast in her search for, and securement of, great joy and great happiness – she showed us that if you look for this, you shall find it. Mary was wise and kind, generous and thoughtful, positive and enlightening. She taught us how to live well, and to leave this world a better place than it was when we were first introduced to it. Thank you, beautiful, brave, and kind soul, for you made all of us, and this world, a better place just for having had you in it.
Mary lost her beloved husband and partner on June 4, 1994 – a love story not ended, but simply paused until they were to meet again. She new that love never dies, and she is with her John once again, dancing amongst the flowers to their beloved music. Mary is lovingly remembered and sorely missed by her daughter Linda Anne Walton and her grandson Jacob Eddy, her daughter Sandra Kay Vuk (Sandie) and her spouse David Allen, and her grandsons Cody John, who predeceased her on December 30, 2019, and Ryley David, her daughter Nancy Lynn Prochuk and her partner Robert Gerald, and her daughter Cathy Marie Prochuk, and her beloved brother, friend, and champion Peter Ksenych.
Mary and John created a family and an eternal legacy that was characterized by love, support, generosity, safety, and belonging. We wish you Godspeed Mom/Baba/Sister – may the joy, laughter, and love that you gave us in this life surround you tenfold in this next journey. May you love, laugh, sing, and dance with unfettered freedom and joy – we know that Dad has already claimed the first dance Mom! We love you, forever and always. We remember you, and we honour you, with love and with joy.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favourite charity in honour of Mary.
As a teenager, Mary met the love of her life, John Eddy Prochuk, and they were married in a joyous celebration on June 1, 1957. They were married for 37 years, and had four daughters, Linda Anne Walton, Sandra Kay Vuk (Sandie), Nancy Lynn Prochuk, and Cathy Marie Prochuk. Mary and John created a magnificent home for their family, characterized by love, happiness, security, fun, and safety – a truly safe haven to retreat to, in a sometimes harsh and difficult external world. Oh, the celebrations and parties they hosted in their home! Mary and John celebrated their family and friends often throughout every single year of their beautiful marriage – the joy, laughter, and happiness echoed throughout their home, and embraced their family and friends long after the party had ended – we eagerly anticipated the next one, which was never very far off, when family and friends would experience their very special blend of magic once again – it was joy, pure and simple joy. Family was the centerpiece of their lives, and Mary continued that legacy to the end.
Mary worked as a secretary for an insurance company in downtown Toronto, Ontario for nine years, prior to having her first daughter. They moved out of Mary’s parent’s home when the twins were just six months old, into their joyous forever home in Mississauga, Ontario, which became the hub for family and friends for over sixty years. Mary was a stay-at-home mom for many years, an avid and dedicated volunteer at her children’s schools, and later took a job at Sears Canada in her fifties. She took care of her children, her husband, her extended family, her community, and her friends with unwavering and consistent support – she was safety, always.
Mary was strong and independent, and learned as a very young girl that you do not exist only for yourself – your solemn duty is to help and support others. She often said throughout her life, “Life will make you hard – don’t let it!” Did she know hard times and suffering? Yes. Did she experience tragedy? Yes. Did she let these experiences harden her heart? No. She continued to laugh, to smile, to pick-up the pieces, to help others pick-up their pieces and to put them back together again, and to keep trying, to keep living, and to keep on finding joy – there was always light in the darkness, and there was always a reason to dance.
Mary loved her family, her friends, dancing, singing, reading, doing crossword puzzles, going to the theatre and concerts, going to restaurants, listening to music, and flowers (preferably pink flowers, but any flower would do!). She loved watching her British shows, mysteries, and the news on television. She loved to watch her family swim in her beautiful swimming pool, sitting on the backyard porch with a smile on her face, joyous.
Mary was strong, and she never complained. If she had a job to do, she questioned nothing, she just did it and got it done. Was it easy? No. She taught us that life comes with great joys and great sorrows, and everything in between, and we must accept this and live within it – the good times and the bad times. If we do not experience great sorrow, we cannot recognize and experience great joy. She experienced both, countless times throughout her long life, and she remained steadfast in her search for, and securement of, great joy and great happiness – she showed us that if you look for this, you shall find it. Mary was wise and kind, generous and thoughtful, positive and enlightening. She taught us how to live well, and to leave this world a better place than it was when we were first introduced to it. Thank you, beautiful, brave, and kind soul, for you made all of us, and this world, a better place just for having had you in it.
Mary lost her beloved husband and partner on June 4, 1994 – a love story not ended, but simply paused until they were to meet again. She new that love never dies, and she is with her John once again, dancing amongst the flowers to their beloved music. Mary is lovingly remembered and sorely missed by her daughter Linda Anne Walton and her grandson Jacob Eddy, her daughter Sandra Kay Vuk (Sandie) and her spouse David Allen, and her grandsons Cody John, who predeceased her on December 30, 2019, and Ryley David, her daughter Nancy Lynn Prochuk and her partner Robert Gerald, and her daughter Cathy Marie Prochuk, and her beloved brother, friend, and champion Peter Ksenych.
Mary and John created a family and an eternal legacy that was characterized by love, support, generosity, safety, and belonging. We wish you Godspeed Mom/Baba/Sister – may the joy, laughter, and love that you gave us in this life surround you tenfold in this next journey. May you love, laugh, sing, and dance with unfettered freedom and joy – we know that Dad has already claimed the first dance Mom! We love you, forever and always. We remember you, and we honour you, with love and with joy.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favourite charity in honour of Mary.