It is with deep sadness that the family of Mary Louise Pasechko announce her passing at La Verendrye Hospital on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the age of 97.
Mary was the eldest of two daughters, born to Effie and Mike Pasechko on August 31, 1927, at the Border Mill (a small community on the shores of Rainy Lake). After the age of ten, Mary and her family moved to Fort Frances and this is where she would spend the rest of her life.
After receiving her Secretarial Certificate from Miss Leslie’s Business and Art School, Mary’s first job was as Secretary for McVey’s Garage. She also worked for several years at Wilkins Flower & China Shop. Mary then spent ten years with the Municipal Recreation Commission and during this time was instrumental in the planning and supervision of the Girls’ Club and several additional arts, crafts and sports programs. During her time with the Rec Commission, she also taught typing for two years in the Emo Night School Rural Program.
For twenty-five years (starting in 1967), Mary was employed by the provincial government as Clerk/Steno for the Ministry of Natural Resources (Lands and Forests). During this time, she held several positions including Fish & Wildlife Clerk, Personnel Clerk and Secretary to the District Manager. Mary cherished this time and especially all of the wonderful friendships she made with her co-workers that continued long after her retirement in 1992. Mary loved the “MNR Gals” like family and all of their lunches and get-togethers (including that special birthday surprise) meant the world to her!
Mary enjoyed numerous sports activities throughout her lifetime including baseball, tennis, golf, cross country skiing, skating, cycling, badminton and Tai Chi. She was a member and officer of the Fort Frances Stamp Club for over twenty years, Secretary for the local Lung Association and a founding member of the Sew ’n Sews Quilt Club. Mary was also an animal lover and spent several years as Secretary/Treasurer for the Friends of Animals organization. During this time, she provided a loving foster home to numerous stray and abandoned cats, many of which ended up as her permanent “fur family” members. In her later years, she was an avid reader, TV sports enthusiast (golf and baseball) and enjoyed sewing catnip toys which she donated to our local Best for Kitty rescue.
In her late eighties, Mary became a self-published author. Her book, “A Place That Was” is a heartwarming story of her childhood memories growing up at the Border Mill. It was dedicated to her father, who spent all of his working years in the lumber industry. Mary was deeply thankful to her friends and members of our local Writer’s Group, who so graciously provided the encouragement and support she needed to take on such an ambitious project. She treasured her involvement with our local writing community and was so proud of all of their accomplishments.
Mary was the last surviving member to bear the Pasechko name of her family in Canada. She has as her immediate family her nephew Michael Pearson (Karen) of Houston, Texas and niece Susan Cousineau (Thomas) of Fort Frances, Ontario. She is also survived by family members in the Toronto/Hamilton area and in the Ukraine.
She was predeceased by her mother, Effie (Yaromich) Pasechko (May 29, 1953); her father Mike Pasechko (October 31, 1984); and a year later by her beloved sister Nettie Pearson, on October 31, 1985. Cremation has taken place and a private celebration of Mary’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be gratefully accepted to Best for Kitty, 308 Fifth Street West, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3S1, online at www.bestforkitty.net or via e-transfer at bestforkitty@gmail.com. Alternatively, donations may be made to St. George UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church) c/o Ann Wood, 242 Sixth Street East, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1W7.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
