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Mary Christina Gallinger (Paryniuk)
August 9, 1957 - August 16, 2016
Tribute
Mary was born and raised in Toronto by Dunja and Harry Sr. Parniuk along with her older brother Harry.
She led an exciting life continually striving to learn, explore and contribute.
She obtained a B.Sc. in Florida 1980 and a Masters of Arts and Leadership from Royal Roads University 2000.
Early on, her work in environmental sciences took her to many interesting places. One place being Tuktoyaktuk N.W.T. and another being station Papa via an Oceanography vessel. Much of her work was in Victoria and Vancouver. Through the years her work transitioned more into the realms of Health and Safety and eventually into the area of preparing people for retirement. She became a published author with a book named “Strategies for Transitions to Retirement” and a tips booklet called “107 Tips for Retirement”
She completed two marathons in the mid 80’s. She was an avid photographer and in 1988 she wrote an article about the northern mining town of Anyox to go with pictures she had taken. It was published in B.C. Beautiful Magazine. Her passions, achievements and interests throughout her life included Kayaking (she was the president of the Cowichan Canoe and Kayak club for two years), Kung Fu (black belt – teaching), Yoga (teaching), Violin (Played in the Victoria Civic Orchestra) and last but not least Singing with Encore Choir. Finally during quieter times she indulged in making many quilts, knitting many hats and in her final days she crocheted a blanket for her daughter Christine.
In 1989 she met Hugh Gallinger and on October 6th,1990 they were Married. They had one lovely daughter Christine in 1992. They moved to the Cowichan Valley in 1995 from North Vancouver. She is survived by her husband Hugh, daughter Christine and brother Harry.
The family wishes to thank Mary’s GP Dr. Seymour, the CDH emergency staff, the BC Cancer agency, Royal Jubilee staff, VIHA nurses, VIHA care aides, Hospice volunteers, Nurses Next Door and the many family and friends that provided so much support over the past three years of Mary’s illness. We truly live in a wonderful community. God bless you all!
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 1st, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram Street, Duncan, BC.Please consider a donation to the Cowichan Hospice or the B.C. Cancer Agency in remembrance of Mary.
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff
H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Rosalind
Relation: Mary was my friend.
Mary was a wonderful, generous, cheerful friend. Everything she did, she did well. No-one ever graced her door without being fed and welcomed. We will all miss her.
love,
Rosalind
From: Jennifer Smith
Relation: Friend
I first met Mary, Hugh and Christine through our local swim club. My son and her daughter both were competitive swimmers. Mary was a wonderful person, always there for the kids. Even through her treatments she really was interested in others. We had many a talk when she came into the hospital and I was working. She really wanted to live and that she did right to the very end.
From: Tricia Datené
Relation: I met Mary about 3 years ago
I met Mary when I was looking for consulting work and we connected on LinkedIn. She invited me to meet her for lunch and we had a great time sharing ideas for our businesses. I only met her once but she kept in touch by email, sending me ideas for work and encouraging thoughts. She had a great impact on me at the time. I am so sorry she is gone too early. Cancer is a horrible disease.
From: Nick Biello
Relation: Co-worker of husband
I am sorry for your loss. I am sending you my sincerest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
From: Joe Weintraub
Relation: Dear friends from years back
I met Mary in collage. I have so many wonderful memories of us SCUBA diving, camping, and visiting each other’s home towns. After graduation, Mary and I lost touch, but recently reconnected again. What a marvelous reunion it was. Catching up with each other’s lives. She told me of her daughter, Christine, and how proud she was of her. Mary bubbled with enthusiasm at the mention of Christine. I took my mother on a cruise to Alaska and Mary was able to join us. My mother has always considered Mary a daughter. Even with years of separation, Mom felt she had a daughter out there somewhere. Evenings on the Alaska cruise were spent sitting in some ship-board restaurant, sharing stories of our lives over cups of tea. We had hoped for more trips together and that I might visit her in Duncan to meet her husband, Hugh, and Christine. Also to someday see her brother Harry again, whom I hadn’t seen since Toronto. Unfortunately, those trips and visits would never happen. She fought so hard to beat her illness. To her it was just something to fight and put behind her, so that she may get on with her life. Mary was more than special. I doubt there isn’t one person with whom she’s met that hasn’t been touched by her in some positive way. We were all so lucky to have had her in our lives. Mary holds her own special place in my heart. Full of love and locked away. My deepest condolences to Hugh, Christine, Harry, and any extended family and friends. Mary’s is a life to be celebrated by all.
From: Barbara Molin
Relation: Mary was my friend
Mary was my long time friend. We met while working at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Pat Bay, Vancouver Island in 1983. We also sailed at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, kayaked and hiked in the hills of Vancouver Island with the same groups of friends. For a few months we shared an apartment together and spent many happy hours going for long walks, along Dallas Road by the sea. I was thrilled for Mary when she met her husband Hugh and later on had her daughter, Christine. We were each other’s support and encouragement when life hit us hard and also each other’s cheering team when we succeeded in reaching our goals. We kept in touch over the years even when life took us to different parts of the world and visited each other whenever possible.
I miss Mary a lot and in some way I find it difficult to believe that she is gone. Perhaps she isn’t – perhaps her spirit is with us still.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Date & Time:
October 1, 2016
Beginning at 2:00pm
Location:
Duncan United Church
246 Ingram St,
Duncan, BC, BC Canada V9L 1P4
246 Ingram St,
Duncan, BC, BC Canada V9L 1P4
Memorial Gifts
By family request due to allergies, no flowers please.
Thank You Notice
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Blooms at 49th Parallel – 778-422-0262
Floral Bar at Party Mood – www.floralbar.ca or 250-701-3151
Floral Department at Thrifty Foods – http://floral.thriftyfoods.com/ or 250-715-2630
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