MARY DEEGAN

It is with very heavy hearts that the family of dearly beloved Mary Deegan, announces her peaceful passing on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 after a long fulfilled life of 93 years.

Mom was predeceased by the love of her life, husband, Clifford Frederick Deegan. As well as, her parents, Matthew and Anna Buchko; her brothers, Steve and Bill; sister-in-laws, Zita Buchko, Theresa Burt, and Sylvia Burt; brother-in-law Robert Deegan; and daughter-in-law Kim Deegan.  

Mom is survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Buchko; and brother-in-law, Stan Burt.  The memory of Mom will forever live on deep In the hearts of her seven children, Terry (Chenoa), Matt (Kim), Shauna (Jim), Dennis (Betty), Colleen, James (Rose), and Anna (Brett).  Her eight grandchildren, Jonathan, Ryan, Samantha (Ryan), Sean (Ashley), Patrick, Caitlin (Kyle), Courtney, Victoria; and her 10 great-grandchildren.  She will also be remembered fondly by countless nieces and nephews, her friends, neighbours, and friends of the family.

Mom grew up in the North End of Winnipeg, MB, daughter of parents who emigrated from Ukraine, of whom we lovingly referred to as Baba and Didi.  In Mom’s pre-school years Baba and Didi’s English was not very proficient at the time, so her older twin brothers Bill and Steve took on the responsibility to teach her English at home.

Mom was always a bit of a “Tomboy” growing up as she skinned her knees climbing trees, playing marbles, and doing all the things boys loved to do, but as she grew older playing sports was what she loved to do most.  Mom's “playground” was the baseball diamond at Sinclair Park just a few houses down from her home at 451 Galloway St.  It was there where she found her first love… baseball!  Mom played baseball and basketball for the CUAC (Canadian Ukrainian Athletic Club) which played a vital role in Winnipeg’s sporting history.  Mom made lifetime friendships there.  “A great group of gals” who in later years would get together regularly in what became fondly known as their “K&B” Club.  

Mom would eat, sleep and breathe baseball. She was a two-time “All Star” for the CUAC Women’s Fastball Team as a fielder and then later on as shortstop, replacing her good friend Dora Witiuk who went to Wisconsin to play for the Racine Bells in what is now known as “A League of Their Own.”  Mom was not only touted as one of the more prominent players on the field, but also the prettiest!  It was known as the “Glamour League” by the likes of sportswriters Gene Telpner, Hal Sigurdson, Reyn Davis, and Maurice Smith.

On the field, she was coined with the nickname “Butchie”, after Buchko of course, but off the field she was anything but.  Mom possessed the charm, style, grace and beauty of a princess, or shall we say queen? In 1947, at the age of 16, while attending Isaac Newton High School, Mom was crowned “CUAC Ice Carnival Queen”,  winning her the right to represent her community club in the Miss Winnipeg contest.  Later, when Mom worked for Eaton’s in the boutique she was often asked to model and do head shots for their fashion photographer.  So is it any wonder while playing ball, she caught the eye of a very handsome young gentleman by the name of Clifford Deegan.

Mom first caught sight of Dad at a house party mostly because he wouldn’t stop staring at her, but she did later take a shine to him. That same evening, she found out from their good friend that Dad was the blind date that she had said “no” to, as Mom was not accustomed to going on blind dates.  Not taking “no” for an answer, Dad persevered and relentlessly pursued Mom for a second time by asking her out one afternoon for that same evening.  She replied, “I’m sorry, I can’t tonight, I’m washing my hair.”  Later that afternoon, after a heavy rain, Dad showed up on Mom’s doorstep looking like a drowned rat! They talked on the porch for a couple of hours till Baba came out and asked, “Is he staying for dinner?”  After an amazing dinner, Dad would ask Mom, “Does your family eat like this all the time?”  On their first official date, Dad, not one for lack of confidence drove by St. Edwards Church and pronounced to Mom, “This is where we're getting married.”  And from that day forward, they never looked back. 

Fast forward 15 years later, with seven children in tow, Mom and Dad were living at 31 Valley View Drive in Heritage Park.  We had the very best of neighbours, and the best of friends.  It was a wonderful neighbourhood to grow up in.  We lived in a big, beautiful four-bedroom two-storey house that was always full of life!  It was not so long ago, Mom would recount, ”…The years spent living at 31 Valley View Drive with Dad and you kids were the best years of my life.”

Mom was a “Domestic Engineer” in every sense of the word. From the moment she woke up to the time she went to bed, she was on the go and nothing ever seemed to slow her down.  She ran our household like a well-oiled machine.  Mom was an amazing cook!  Working her magic in the kitchen, Mom put so much love into every meal she made, and baking too. Mom and Dad always looked so forward to our family Sunday dinners together.  Her holiday dinner spreads at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas were always a feast to marvel at and behold.  Mom also excelled at hosting fabulous dinner parties with Dad as they loved to entertain friends and neighbours.

Every year at our house December 26th wasn’t just Boxing Day, it was also Mom’s birthday.  Taking Mom out for Chinese food at the Shanghai Restaurant, soon became a family tradition. On Mom’s 85th birthday, we had most of the family come in from out of town to help celebrate our tradition one last time before “The Shanghai” closed their doors for good.

There wasn’t much Mom and Dad didn’t do together. In earlier years, they played in a curling league. For years they were big supporters of the Winnipeg Jets and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as season ticket holders.  Not surprisingly they both enjoyed watching the New York Yankees play ball and when the Toronto Blue Jays came on the scene they now had two favorite teams to cheer on.  They also loved their music, dining and dancing was one of their favourite things to do.

Mom did however, have her own leisure time to join a bowling league in the afternoons and a neighbourhood bridge club at night. It was always so nice to see Mom finally relaxing on the couch in the living room, knitting, reading one of her novels or doing a crossword or jigsaw puzzle.  Her favourite was keeping score & stats while watching her Blue Jays or Yanks or really any game on TV.

Mom and Dad, even with seven children, managed to take the time to experience some pretty memorable vacation trips alone with one another. They loved to just get in the car and go and take in all the beautiful scenery on the way.

As a family, we also took many memorable summer vacation trips to West Hawk Lake, Falcon Lake, Bemidji and Clear Lake. Nine of us piled into one car and yes even one time room for a cooked Turkey for dinner when we got there.  Mom was always planning ahead. 

Finally, when all of us were in school full- time, Mom, on top of everything else, would find the time to come watch our sporting events to cheer us on.  Attend Christmas concerts and graduations. Then with the grandchildren, she’d do it all again. And then again as we became adults.

Once we were old enough to fend for ourselves, Mom went back to work at age 50, working as a Doctor’s Assistant at Silver Heights Medical Clinic. Of course, she made many new wonderful friends there as well, and often got together outside of work even after her retirement at 65. Working there, afforded her the good fortune of having Doctor Schroeder as her doctor for many years, right up until her residency at Oakview Place. Our heartfelt thanks to Doctor Schroeder for always going above and beyond when caring for Mom’s health and well-being.

Mom and Dad made many sacrifices for us kids.  Always so giving of their time never expecting anything in return. In fact, if you were to ask Mom what her crowning achievements and her prized possessions during her lifetime were, she’d tell you along with Dad, her family.

Mom instilled in all of us a strong work ethic, a sense of right from wrong, to always tell the truth, to be kind to others and to always be true to yourself.

Sadly, on February 26, 1998, Dad passed away at the age of 68. Mom lost the love of her life that day and for the 26 years that followed not a day went by where she didn’t think of him. Once dearly departed, now together again.

Mom, you will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved you so dearly. We will cherish and hold the memory of you deep in our hearts, always and forever missing you each and every day, with every step along the way.  God bless you and may your beautiful soul rest in peace.

The family would like to extend our thanks to the dedicated staff at Extendicare, Oakview Place, First Floor East for their kindness and compassion while caring for our mom. 

Cremation has taken place and a private ceremony with family will follow. 

If you so wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, Kidney Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

In Loving Memory

of our

Wonderful Mom

Of all the special gifts in life 

However great or small, 

To have you as our mom 

Was the greatest gift of all.

May the winds of love blow softly 

And whisper in your ear, 

“We love and miss you Mom 

and wish that you were here.”

Deep in our hearts, your life is kept 

to love and cherish, not forget. 

No more tomorrows we can share, 

but yesterdays are always there.

A silent thought, a secret tear 

keeps your memory ever near 

in our hearts forever.

XXX

Mary’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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