Mary Firman

There was much excitement in the household of John and Doris (Ilneski) Pohoreski on November 12, 1930, in the small village of Bobulyntsi in Buchach, Ukraine, as they welcomed their second daughter, Mary, into the family. In 1938, at the age of 7, along with her family, Mary embarked on a long, tough journey to Canada, as threats of an upcoming war loomed over the world. Despite language barriers, and having to work hard at establishing a new life, in a new country, their family life was filled with music, happiness, and fellowship, with new-found friends, neighbours, and extended family in the Nora, SK rural area. Mary started her early years of education in Ukraine, but once they arrived in Canada, her school years included the country schools of Mallard, Robbinsdale, and Bradgate.

After leaving school, Mary moved to Yorkton to work for a short while, before returning home. In 1952, at the age of 21, Mary and her family were struck with tragedy, when her beloved father suffered a sudden unexpected death. Mary, along with her siblings, assisted their mother in continuing to maintain the family farm. This family closeness would lead the siblings to seek out many adventures that would later provide fascinating stories for family and friends to hear for years to come.

On November 23, 1954, there would be music and celebration again, when Mary married her life-long companion William (Bill) Firman in Nora, SK. Mary and Bill made their home in Lintlaw, SK, where they took over Bill’s family restaurant. Over the years, they, along with their four children, John, Veronica, Christine, and Joseph, would continue to work hard at building their legacy of “Bill’s Café” together. In 1991, Mary and Bill made the decision to retire to their little acreage in Lintlaw, where they continued to work together, developing their acreage, tending their huge garden, planting and weeding her flower beds, and entertaining their grandchildren for several years. After Bill’s death in 2006, Mary continued the upkeep of their beloved acreage. She could be found working in her garden and flower beds from 5 am until 11 pm.  It was not uncommon to see her outside weeding with a flashlight. Although Mary spent countless hours in her garden, her faith preceded all else in her life, and she could often be seen scurrying, so she wouldn’t miss church or a CWL meeting. In addition to enjoying her 13+ years with the CWL, she was also very dedicated to her local TOPS group, for the entire duration of the group’s existence. In 2018, when Mary’s health started to decline at the age of 87, Mary made the move to Preeceville Personal Care Home where she settled in to a new way of life of relaxation, being cared for, and building new friendships. She remained at the care home until she made her beautiful departure from this world on June 16, 2023 to be reunited with Bill for eternity – The best Father’s Day gift his family could ever give him. 

Mary will be lovingly welcomed into heaven by her husband, William; her parents, John and Doris; two infant sisters, Tillie and Sally; two brothers, Peter and Anton Pohoreski; brother-in-law, Reg Hatchen; parents-in-law, Joseph and Mary Firman; sisters-in-law and their husbands, Annie and Alex Oryszczyn and Polly and Metro Madarash; and numerous other close family members.  

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her children, John (Leona) Firman, Veronica (Curtis) Erickson, Christine (Michael) Depeel, and Joe (Keri) Firman; 12 grandchildren: Jonathan (Trina) Firman, Ashley (Geoff) Wasyliw, Stacey (Chlorisa) Erickson, Riley (Calla) Erickson, Josh (Erin) Erickson, Brittany (Coulton) Smith, Hayley (Kyle) Marteniuk, Whitney (Greg Bauman) Depeel, Justin Depeel, Alexis, Mackenna, and Blakley Firman; and 12 great-grandchildren: Savannah, Jace, Marcus, Ian, Emma, Logan, Gavin, Landon, Blake, David, Zach, and Tristan.

Also left with special memories are Mary’s sister, Emily Hatchen; brother, Russ Pohoreski, and sister-in-law, Janet Pohoreski, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and their families, and all of Mary’s friends.