Mary Victoria Coles (Chorney)
"Marie"
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Mary (Marie) Victoria Coles’ (Chorney) on March 21, 2023. Marie passed peacefully in Victoria with her husband of 66 years at her side.
Born in Sugden, Alberta, to Wasyl and Evdokia (Dorris) Chorney, Marie attended school until grade 6 and then worked on the family farm. At 18, she joined her sisters, first in Winnipeg, then Vancouver before settling in Victoria after marrying Richard (Dick) John Coles on December 1st 1956.
Marie loved her family, spending summers at the family cabin in Lake Cowichan, bird watching and her garden. Always ready with Band-Aids and cookies, Marie was known as the “Queen of Ryan Hill” by the neighbourhood children. She also enjoyed spending time with her husband, Dick, and the “Happy Gang” on Friday evenings. Marie volunteered with the Ukrainian Cultural Centre churning out hundreds of perogies and holipchi, as well as cooking with the Gordon Head Lions Club.
Marie will be deeply missed by her husband, Dick; four children: Rick (Karen), Cheryl (Ed), Don (Wendy) and Lisa (Sam); grandchildren: Brandon, Melissa, Kevin, Cole, Cody, Travis, Jessie, Jake, Patrick and Geordie; and great-grandchildren: Anastasia, Noah, Kate, Ben, Jack and Max. She will also be missed by her surviving sisters Ollie (twin) and Gloria, extended family, and many friends. Marie is predeceased by her brother Carl and sisters Margie, Stella and Lee.
