Mary Hoodicoff passed away peacefully at Castleview on the May 9, 2015 at the age of 86.
Mary was born in Slocan Park on November 9, 1928. She was the youngest of the four children of Martha and Steve Samarodin. Growing up in the depression she gained values of caring and giving in her community that remained with her for the rest of her life.
As a young teenager, Mary began working for the Burns family in Nelson, keeping house and cooking for the family. From there she moved to the Okanagan to work in a packing house. Even though she spent much of her time working out in the orchards her favorite place was helping out in the cafeteria helping to prepare food and serve her fellow employees.
When she moved back to the Kootenays, she met and fell in love with Alec Hoodicoff. They were married on February 16, 1952 and began building their family home in her husband’s neighbourhood in Raspberry. A few years later they were blessed with their one and only child, Gerry.
Mary loved to garden and it showed with all of the vegetables and flowers that she produced during the summer. She not only took care of her own garden but was often seen helping out in her in-law’s garden across the street. Her pantry and four freezers were always filled with an abundance of preserves, fruits, vegetables.
There are probably many adults today who remember climbing and playing on the rock in Mary’s garden as a child with Gerry. The rock that was not only surrounded with a huge border of perennials and annuals, but every crack and crevice on that rock was planted with her favorite flowers.
Mary was an active member cooking group at the USCC until she entered her 80s. She deeply cared for the values of the USCC and attended every performance and event that she was able to.
She was predeceased by her husband, Alec, on the 23rd of June, 2009 as well as her brothers, sisters and parents. She is survived by her son, Gerry and two grandsons, Eric and Steven.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the kindness and care from the staff at Castleview and to Dr. Lesperance and Dr. Vasil who were always attentive and supportive.
Arrangements for the funeral were entrusted to Castlegar Funeral Chapel. The funeral was held on May 19, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Brilliant Cultural Centre.