1931 – 2018
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing away of our sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother Mary Koorbatoff, July 29, 2018.
Mary was born on September 27, 1931 in Glade, British Columbia to Mike and Tina Nichvolodoff. She was raised in the Doukhobor village of Arkhangelka and was of a generation of people who shared a common ancestry, respect for their elders, and lived the Doukhobor motto “Toil and peaceful life.” There was hard work but also plenty of fun times in the village, including playing ball. At age 13, at one of the ball games, Mary was in danger of a ball hitting her face. A young man caught the ball just in time. Over time she got to know this tall, dark and handsome man, Alex, and on March 5, 1955 they married. Together they raised four daughters. Mary was a wonderful and kind mother who dedicated herself to teaching her daughters how to care for a home and garden, and most importantly how to care about people, especially children. Mary was a lifelong USCC member and was at the very first Doukhobor Festival. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school, participating in the Shoreacres Community, and later singing in the Nelson Ladies Choir. She was very hospitable and welcomed many visitors from far and wide into her and Alex’s home. Mary enjoyed travelling. A trip to Russia in 1980 included touring historic Doukhobor sites and became the trip of a lifetime. She also worked at the Raspberry Lodge and the Castleview Care Centre before retiring.
Mary is survived by her Brother Bill (Lovette) Nichvolodoff, and Sister Polly Sissons; daughters Anne (Steve) Brown, Olga (Patrick) Kelly, Lorraine (Ben) Legebokoff, and Natalie (Nigel) Parton; grandchildren Kayla (Riley) Marcotte, Peter, Ian, Richard, Grace, David, Emily, Rachel, Spencer, Malachi, Isaiah, Eliana and Avalea; and great-grandchildren Jordyn, Brooklyn and Jack; and Ryden.
We will always remember Mary’s faith in her Savior Jesus Christ, her prayers, and her heart of love. Mary (Mom, Baba): We love you. You are forever in our hearts and you will never be forgotten. “Tsarstva nebesnaya.”
The family would like to express our appreciation to Peter Relkoff for officiating the service, John Verigin Jr., the Psalm Singers, Shoreacres Ladies Cooking Club, grave diggers, casket bearers, Castlegar Funeral Chapel, and the Kootenay Lake Hospital staff who were involved in Mary’s care, including the doctors, nurses, dietary and care aides, and housekeeping staff. We would also like to thank the visitors who came by the hospital to see Mary. Last, but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to all those who sent cards, made phone calls, and stopped by the family home to offer their condolences and deliver meals.
Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.
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Robert & Marie Mile
We wanted to share our condolences with Mary’s family. It is never easy to have to say goodbye to a loved one. The pain of loss can be unbearable. Our Creator promises us that one day this pain will be just a memory. That beautiful promise can be found at Revelation 21:3,4. Our pain and suffering will be a thing of the past, and we can cry tears of joy as we welcome back the ones that we love so much. We hope you find comfort in those promises.