Mary Alyce (Gallasz) Kundrik

Mary Kundrik has lost her long and courageous battle with old age at 98 and has gone to be reunited with her parents, Mary and Joseph Gallasz, and her sister, Betty Watson. Hopefully, she is also attending the big rock and gem show in the sky, where, no doubt, she is finding many treasured items.

She was the mother of Darrell (Linda) and Ron (Carol); the loving grandmother of Sara (Jacques), Emily, and Rebecca (Nathan); a doting great-grandmother to Elizabeth, Lilianne, and Petra; and an aunt to her special niece, Rea. She was predeceased by her husband, Julius, as well as her mother, father, and only sister.

Born in Hungary in 1927, Mary immigrated to Canada as a young girl. She lived in Saskatchewan as a child and met her husband in British Columbia before they finally settled in the Lethbridge area. Mary worked for many years in the library at the Lethbridge Research Centre and was always proud of having worked at Eaton’s.

In retirement, she spent many winters in Arizona, looking at jewellery, rocks, pottery, Kachina dolls, and books on local history. She adored speaking to the locals and collecting stories. She was dragged to many national parks, including that big hole in the ground, the Grand Canyon; the “tasty” park where she tried to lick the rocks, Death Valley; and the Jumping Cholla Garden in Joshua Tree, which she swore until the end had attacked her. She loved the vibrant desert colours and the freeways of Phoenix and always visited friends in the area. She also managed to attend a taping of The Price Is Right.

When at home in Lethbridge, she practiced lapidary—cutting and polishing gemstones as a member of the Southern Alberta Rockhounds—sculpted bronzes, drew and painted, collected and repaired Barbies, and spoiled her grandchildren with endless crafts and treats.

Known for her cabbage rolls, pies, soups, potato salad, and jellied pig’s feet, she was present at every family celebration and indulgently wore silly Disney hats for family photos.

She had a surprising number of friends with whom she enjoyed visiting, as well as many relatives. She always lived life to the fullest, and her absence will be dearly felt.

As per Mary's request, there will be no funeral service.