Mary Eliass

Mary Eliass

Mary Eliass (nee Unik), from Narol, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at Selkirk Regional Health Center on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the age of 84 years. She was born on August 27, 1933 in East Selkirk, Manitoba. In 1955, Mary was united in marriage in Selkirk, Manitoba to Julius Eliass from Narol, Manitoba, born January 15, 1933. Mary is survived by her daughter Dr. Brenda Elias and her son Brian Elias (and wife, Carol, and their two children, Nicholas and Sarah), by her sisters, Anne Gowryluk and Nellie Flaherty (Ken), her brother Lawrence Unik (Doreen), her sisters-in-law Nell Unik, Heather Unik, Myrna Unik, and by Mary’s cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husband Julius Eliass, her daughter, Karen Eliass, her parents, Mary and Dan Unik, her five brothers, Johnny Unik, Bill Unik, Stan Unik, Danny Unik, and Peter Unik, and her brother-in-law Bill Gowryluk.

Mary was born and raised in East Selkirk in what was truly a little log house on the prairies. She attended Happy Thought School in East Selkirk, and upon completing high school there, she went to work in Winnipeg, first at the Candy Company. She then trained as a comptometer operator (which required 100% proficiency) and worked at Purity Floor and the Grain Exchange until she had her children. Mary had a strong belief in education and encouraged her husband and children to also advance their education. When her husband went into business, she took up accounting and oversaw the finances of their very successful family business. Mary instilled in her children the value of critical thinking and a keen sense of political events, including the politics of editorial commentary. She loved to watch televised political leadership conventions and the daily Canadian political commentary broadcasts. Mary loved her flower and vegetable gardens, which were always on a grand scale. She was a master at processing garden produce, via freezing and canning, and always made sure there was enough. Mary helped Julius build the family dream homes, one and two. She enjoyed hosting family holiday gatherings, with Easter her favorite. In retirement, Mary and her husband, Julius, travelled coast to coast in their many mobile campers, and her most favorite trips were to southern Ontario, where she visited her sister Nellie (and family).

Although Mary had numerous chronic conditions, the first which appeared in her twenties, she never let these conditions get the best of her. Mary had a very strong will, was disciplined, and had a drive to survive, even when the odds said otherwise. This spirit to keep moving, to keep going, defined Mary, and it is that spirit, will and little smile she would flash when we rallied to help her get the job done, is what we will truly miss.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre for the compassionate care she received in these last few months. We are eternally grateful to the physicians, medical students and residents of St. Boniface Hospital and Family Medical Practice Unit (in collaboration with the University of Manitoba, College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine), which provided our Mother with exceptional care for several decades. We are also thankful to Anne Gowryluk (Mary’s sister) and her brother Lawrence Unik for their support in these last few months and to Fr. Isadore Dziadyk for his visit at the hospital and to Fr. Peter Chorney for his prayers at Sunday mass. Mom, we will truly miss you. You gave us a lifetime of memories, and you taught us the importance of will, and that it just takes will to harness will.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk, MB with Fr. Peter Chorney officiating. Lunch will be served at the chapel, and then interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery, Gonor, MB. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Elias, Randy Gowryluk, Robert Unik, Ron Unik, Glen Sulkers, and Collin Sulkers.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Mary Eliass can be made to St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, C1026-409 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, MB R2H 2A6, or by Ph. at 1-204-237-2067 or via their website https://www.saintboniface.ca/foundation/en/donate/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Eliass, please visit our floral store.