Mary Zevick-Knowles

Mary Zevick-Knowles (nee Syvenky) beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully in the Mineral Springs Hospital in the early morning hours of November 9, 2019

at the age of 88.

Mary was born on May 16, 1931 on the family farm near Myrnam, Alberta. A child of first-generation Ukrainian immigrant parents, a heritage she was proud of and expressed throughout her life,

especially with her love of cooking.

On April 24, 1950 she married Danial Zevick and they had two sons, Lawrence and David. At the time Mary helped her brother Stan by working at his restaurant in Myrnam until 1958 when Dan and Mary went to Banff for a vacation. They fell in love with the mountains and moved there later that year.

In Banff she found work in a restaurant, but also took training to become a sign writer and eventually started "Thunderbird Signs" which she operated until she retired from the business at the age of 77. Also, during her career, she managed several different cocktail lounges in Banff, provided catering services and was the official score keeper for the Oilmen's golf tournament for many years. It was at one of their functions that she got to dance with Gene Cernan, the last man who walked on the moon.

Mary was active in the community and belonged to the Soroptimist Club, the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary and St Mary's Catholic Church choir. Mary was well known for her perogies,

cabbage rolls, borsht and loved to share and entertain hosting

many a dinner party. Cooking many a church dinner and hosting

several ethnic dinners at the Legion, Mexican, Hawaiian and

of course Ukrainian.

After her husband Dan passed away in 1990 Mary remarried

Leonard Knowles from the UK in May of 1997. They were a perfect match and had an amazing 20 years together, sharing all kinds of adventures together until Len's passing in November of 2017.

Survived by her two sons; Lawrence and David, 4 grandchildren,

3 great-grandchildren, two brothers; Paul (Liz), Peter (Sylvia),

several nieces and nephews as well as Len's daughter-in-Law

and granddaughter who reside in Australia. Predeceased by

her two husbands, 2 sisters, 1 brother and step son.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Mineral Springs Hospital for the loving care and kindness that they provided Mary in her final weeks.

A service was held at St. Mary's Catholic Parish Church on Monday November 25, 2019, followed with a Celebration of Life at the Royal Canadian Legion in Banff. No flowers by request.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.