Thorarinson, Mary (Gifko)

Mary Gifko was born in a stone house north-east of Avonlea (NE 28-12-22), the ninth child of Maria and Tima Gifko.  She was predeceased by five sisters: Flora, Nettie, Eva, Annie and Deda; and four brothers: John, Nick, Ted and Tom.  Mary attended Sanderson School and took some high school by correspondence.  Mary spoke and read both Rumanian and English.  She was an avid writer and wrote for the Western Producer when she was young.  Later, Mary took a secretarial course and got a job working for the bank in Climax, Saskatchewan.  Working in the bank, Mary met the handsome Gisli (Gil) Thorarinson and they were married on November 22nd, 1945.  They farmed near Climax, first living on the farm and then later in town.  After they retired, they moved to Swift Current where they lived, sometimes travelling to Victoria, BC in the winters until Gil’s death on September 9th, 1994.  Mary had many hobbies.  Among them were needlework (embroidery, crocheting and knitting) and was an accomplished landscape painter.  She bought herself a computer and took lessons and enjoyed the online world until her failing sight made it difficult.  Mary was an avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Saskatchewan Roughriders and spent many hours following the Saskatchewan Legislature on television.  After Gil’s death, Mary moved to the Bentley Retirement Home in Swift Current.  In January, 2010, she moved to the Bentley in Moose Jaw and then, in May 2011, to the Ina Grafton Gage Home in Moose Jaw and the Avonlea Coteau Range Manor in September 2011.  In July 2012, Mary moved back to Moose Jaw to Providence Place where she passed away peacefully on June 26th, 2013.  Mary is survived by her sisters-in-law, Lorraine Melhoff (Doug) of Swift Current and Alice Gifco of Moose Jaw; nieces: Sharon Povick (Wayne), Carole DiGuistini (Rick), Judy Forster (Brad), Elsie Girbav, Donna Skoropata (Del), Doreen Perry (Reg), Karen Hagel (Glenn); nephews: Garth Melhoff, Brian Melhoff, Thomas Phelps, Allan Gifco and Leslie Gifco; as well as many great and great-great nephews and nieces.  A Graveside Service was held on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Reverend Ruth McArthur officiating.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Funeral Director. 306-693-4550.