Marie Anne Ruth Stetsko (nee Baynton) passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2023 surrounded by all her children.
She was born on July 14, 1936 in St. Brieux, Saskatchewan to John and Celina Baynton, the youngest of five children. Marie was married in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (1956), and moved with her family to Thunder Bay in 1961.
She will be loved and remembered by her husband, Ignit Stetsko; her five children, Peter (Lauren McKinnon), Christine (Roman Kowalczyszyn), Paul (Dawn Kirkconnell), Cynthia Garland, and Francis (Catherine Tilk); her ten grandchildren, Christian (Katie), Courtney (Nate), Andrew, Mark (Amanda), Keith (Megan), Kevin, Andrea, Dalton (Haley), Logan (Sara), and Grace; her six great-grandchildren, Teddy, Josephine, Sebastian, Lincoln, Jack, and Juliet.
Marie and Ignit’s descendants continue to be motivated by her strong can-do attitude and belief that ‘Can’t, is not a word’. She was a proponent and instrumental in the continued education of her children and grandchildren. Marie enjoyed having her grandchildren visit over many weeks during the summer playing golf, cribbage, and spending afternoons reading.
Marie was very proud of her work as office manager working with her husband. She enjoyed singing at her Church and with the Sweet Adelines of Thunder Bay. Marie won many awards for her various handcrafts at the community fairs and she was active in local environmental groups.
Throughout Marie’s life she actively supported many independent women’s businesses as well as cultural groups in the region.
When Marie retired she developed a love of golf and shuffleboard, also getting involved in the leadership of the clubs she joined to enjoy these sports. Marie was awarded her 60 year pin as a member of the Catholics Women’s League.
We are very grateful for how she was loved and cared for by the staff at Pioneer Ridge for the last 5 years. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Andrew's R.C. Church of Thunder Bay on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Rev. Berchmans Francis. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Marie will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church Special Projects Fund or to St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay. Condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
