Mary Anne Makuk

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Mary Anne Makuk (nee Danovan) on November 12, 2025 at the age of 101 years old.

Mary was born on February 26, 1924 on a farmstead near Roblin, Ontario. Her siblings, Johnny, Gerald, Dorothy, and Francis, all predeceased her. In their later years, Mary and her husband Steve often referred to themselves as the "Last of the Mohicans" a somewhat isolating existence, having outlived almost all of their siblings, friends, and acquaintances. Mary is survived by two of her three children, John (Terry) and Patrick. Aside from her siblings, she was predeceased by her husband, Stephen, and her daughter, Maureen (Terry) Haggarty. Mary will be missed dearly by her two sons, son-in-law Terry, and seven grandchildren, Graham (Rochelle), Brian, Kira, Ryan, Colin (Catherine), Megan, and Michael, and two great-grandchildren, Emilia and Abigail.

Mary's life began on the farm and over the years had recounted numerous stories of her early life. She spoke of the use of horses and wagons to get to school and social gatherings, the routine of family tasks such as feeding the livestock, and of baking twelve loaves of bread every second day. She attended a one-room schoolhouse where she recounted proudly that the teacher told her she was the brightest student she ever had. Mary began work at the Belleville hospital, at 16 years of age, and netted around a dollar a day. However, Mary was not content to live where she grew up. She had a desire to travel and wanted to cross the Rocky Mountains. She and her friend boarded the train and headed west to Vancouver, B.C., and then traveled back over the mountains to Calgary.

It was in Calgary, at one of the many dances she loved to attend regularly, where she met the love of her life, Steve.

They were married happily for 71 years before Steve passed away at 96 years of age. Both remained mentally sharp throughout their lives, which enabled them to remain in their own home-somewhat independently —until Steve passed away. Throughout their Lifetime, they both loved to travel and literally travelled much of the world. Together, their trips took them to destinations such as China, S.E. Asia, Australia, much of the South Pacific, Philippines, Europe, Israel, Panama, Costa Rica, South America, and so forth. Cruises were one of their favourite ways to travel.

When you live be more than 100 years old, it’s amazing to reflect on the changes in society and technological advances that Mary would have experienced. From the use of horses, to the advent of T.V, the Second World War, and subsequent wars, to the invention of computers and Al, and more recently, a pandemic. On her 90th Christmas. We recall buying her an iPad to which she immediately announced that it could be taken back to the store. To all of our surprise -and her own-she became fairly proficient with its use and appreciated the news from home" and many emails from friends and family. Most recently, she became proficient at using a HomePod to determine the time, weather, and news. in her final days in the hospital, it amused everyone to hear our 101-year-old mother call out loudly: "Siri, where am I?" "Siri, get me a nurse," "Siri, get me water," and so forth. She try lived an amazing life and will be missed greatly.

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