Obituary of Mary Sekela

SEKELA, Mary In loving memory of our kindhearted Aunt and sister who passed away October 19th, 2018 at age 86. Mary was born in 1931 after her parents, Nicholas and Eva had immigrated to Windsor from a small northern rural village in Slovakia. Mary was proud of her heritage and over the years remained tightly connected to her community both in Windsor and "the old country". Like most proud Slovaks she ardently fed her guests refusing to allow anyone to leave without at least one more taste of her homemade shortbread cookies. Despite being the second youngest of four siblings; Anne, Mike and Frank, Mary early on dove into a life devoted to ensuring the comfort and well-being of family, friends and neighbours. Having never married, everyone became her family and she was particularly gifted at caring for the elderly. Anytime the phone rang, Mary came to aid in anything from forms needing to be filled out, a ride to church or to simply sit awhile and exchange a story or two. As generous with her time as she was, Mary also scarcely missed a church service and loved attending Mass. She was a proud member of St. Michael's Slovak Greek Catholic Church where she spent countless hours dedicated to volunteering. Mary"s commitment to her faith mirrored her commitment to her family which was never more evident than in her inability to forget a birthday. Whether you were a niece, nephew, grandniece or grandnephew a card would arrive in your mailbox yearly with a kind note to let you know you were thought of and loved. Her warmth and selfless demeanour is what made her an easy hire right out of high school at Hiram Walkers, where she quickly became an asset as an executive secretary. Mary loved her 38 year career and prided herself not only in her skills, but her impeccable dress. It was not all work and no play however, as Mary enjoyed travelling, and beginning in her 20s, for four decades, she never missed a yearly vacation and rarely set foot in the same place twice. Wherever Mary"s travels brought her (at home and abroad) she never had anything but love to spread, and her benevolence, bigheartedness, and beautiful blue eyes will be remembered fondly by those that had the pleasure of her company. Visitation at WINDSOR CHAPEL (CENTRAL CHAPEL) 1700 Tecumseh Rd. E., 519-253-7234 on Wednesday October 24, 2018 from 2-5pm. Prayers at 5pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday October 25, 2018 at 2pm in the Chapel. Interment to follow at St. Alphonsus Cemetery. In memory of Mary, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Windsor. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com