Mary Ann Junek
April 22, 1937 – September 14, 2021
As published in the October 25, 2021 World-Spectator
Mary Ann passed away peacefully in her sleep at 2:08 am at the Regina General Hospital on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. She was 84 years old.
She will be remembered for her welcoming smile and hearty laugh. She was a real firecracker and was as genuine and authentic as anyone could be! She loved to be teased so she could dish it right back! Mary Ann was loved by her family and she loved them back. She also loved the simple things in life and always made the best with what she had.
Mary Ann was born on April 22, 1937 as the third child to John and Annie (Revesz) Dlouhy on the family farm Southwest of Esterhazy. Here, she and her two brothers Ernie and Lawrence were raised. As a little girl she attended the nearby Esterhazy school.
In 1957, after she started dating Donnie Junek, she began working at his sign shop. She loved working along his side and had many good times with the crew working there. Even near the end she still liked updates from her son Kelly on the work he was doing at the sign shop. She said, “once it’s in you, it’s in you!” Donnie and Mary Ann also shared the love of music. He was a fantastic musician and his bands “The Harmony Boys” and later “The Moods Indigo” played almost every weekend for over 40 years. In 1960 the “Valley Social Club” dances began at Maple Grove Resort. Mary Ann served tables at the beginning and in the later years bartended. Donnie played these dances almost every weekend so she got in as many dances as she could. These were some of the best times they shared together. Many friendships were made at the club along with a lot of great memories!
After a long courtship Donnie and Mary Ann got married on July 3, 1967. Soon they were blessed with two children, son Kelly and daughter Deanna. Mary Ann was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed her time with the kids. She also loved being outside in her garden and tending to her flowers. Baking was also a passion; making pies, dinner buns and her most famous Hungarian Torte Cake.
When Kelly and Deanna got a little older Mary Ann worked at the Plus 2 Motor Inn at Esterhazy. Many good friends were made while working there. Soon the kids were grown and Mary Ann had time for other activities. Going for coffee was one of these. The gang met about three times a week for a lot of years.
In 2004 Donnie and Mary Ann moved to Stockholm. Here they lived a good, retired life although Donnie still worked at the sign shop as much as he could. In 2008 Mary Ann and Deanna began to travel. This was a delight for them both. That year they flew to Las Vegas and toured Arizona and Nevada. Mary Ann loved gambling, so trips always had to be planned around a casino or two. In 2009 Mary Ann’s life changed when Donnie passed away. She was a trooper and took it in stride. After that Mary Ann and Deanna travelled more. Some of the best times she had were on the road. The most memorable trip was to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah, Donnie and Marie in Las Vegas, and they were in the audience at the “Price is Right”. Mary Ann reminisced about their trips till the end. In 2018 she moved to Esterhazy and lived in her apartment until June 2021 when her health began to fail.
Mary Ann is survived by her son Kelly (Carrie) and daughter Deanna (Stu), and sister-in-law Leona Dlouhy plus numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Donnie, her parents John and Annie Dlouhy, her in-laws Frank and Rosie Junek and siblings Ernie and Lawrence.
A graveside funeral service was held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 2:00 pm from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Esterhazy with Father Andrew Pawlowicz presiding.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Regina General Hospital Covid Unit (c/o Hospitals of Regina Foundation) or to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared at www.pcarscaddenfs.ca. Peter Carscadden Funeral Service, Esterhazy, Saskatchewan in care of arrangements. 306-745-3304.
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