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Mary-Ann Fast

Image by Nick Andréka

MARY-ANN FRANCES FAST

(née Pura)

March 29, 1956-March 24, 2025

Mary-Ann Fast (née Pura) was a kind and gentle person who was loved by all who knew her. After a three-year battle with ovarian cancer, Mary-Ann passed peacefully on March 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.


Mary-Ann lived a good life full of fun, friends, music, and adventure. A North End Ukrainian to the core, she grew up in Winnipeg, MB alongside her siblings Cathy, Mike, Andrew, and Peter and graduated from St. John’s High School.


Mary-Ann was a very spiritual person, who always put her family first. Her husband Tim was by her side for almost fifty years of marriage full of travel, new experiences, and thousands of kilometres of bike rides taking place all over the world.


Her daughters, Heather and Paula, inherited her love of nature, gardening, and good food. They plan to carry on her legacy of creating homes for local birds, bees, and butterflies in their gardens and making jam and other homemade treats for the special people in their lives. She continues to inspire them to imagine and explore.


Mary-Ann also has many unofficially ‘adopted’ children that she loved (and worried about) as if they were her own, such as Tatsuya and Masayo, and her cherished son-in-laws, Phil and Steve. There are countless friends of her daughters and former students on her always growing list of birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and other important celebrations. She will miss you all.


Mary-Ann was the most loving Baba you will ever meet – her granddaughters Lennon and Bowie held a special place in her heart and brought her immense joy. She was also a great Baba to her grandpups, Milton, Cosmo, and Teddy. They will miss the treats she always kept in her pockets for them.


A teacher by profession, Mary-Ann was a dedicated educator who inspired her students to pursue careers in STEM and coached many championship winning teams in badminton, volleyball, basketball, and many other sports. Her career spanned many decades and schools, including Selkirk Junior High, Dalhousie Elementary School, Ryerson Elementary (now Prairie Sunrise) School, Tahmoor Primary School, Nowra Public School, Aurthur A. Leech, and the many others that she worked at as a sub after she “retired”.


Music was one of her main passions, with Mary-Ann getting great joy out of playing many types of music on the violin, cello, banjo, and mandolin (among others). She loved it all, from bus rides to lessons with her sister Cathy when they were little, to playing in a variety of different orchestras and quartets, and her more recent endeavor into the world of Irish music. She got so much joy from the times spent practicing and performing with her group Cairde and her other friends from the Irish Association of Manitoba.


Mary-Ann was also creative in other ways – always learning new skills and starting new projects. There are many cozy knitted or crocheted scarves, pom pom toques, and blankets keeping her loved ones warm, and beloved hand-made stuffed animals bringing comfort. Always up for a challenge, Mary-Ann’s crafting legacy includes pottery, stained glass angels, and hundreds of hand-made paper flowers and an army of jedi robes she made for her daughter’s wedding.


Mary-Ann was always up for an adventure and travelled the world throughout her life, often with Tim by her side. She was changed by the experiences gained living in Australia for two years, and visiting many countries including Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Hungary, France, Israel, the Netherlands, Greece, Barbados, Mexico, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.


She had many local adventures too as she and Tim camped, biked, kayaked, paddle-boarded, and hiked their way across Canada, with their dogs Charlie and Nova by their side. Mary-Ann also enjoyed many wonderful ski trips with her friends and family over the years. Canmore, AB was a particularly special place to her in recent years.


Mary-Ann was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She had many dear family and friends she worked, travelled, and camped with, who were later recruited to become one of ‘Mary-Ann’s Warriors’ during her battle with cancer. Their continual support uplifted her to the end.


Beyond the kindness and love she gave freely, she also dedicated much time and effort to a variety of charitable causes and helped raise thousands of dollars to support ovarian cancer research. She urges you to live your life as she has and “Dream it, Plan it, Do it!”


Special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff from the palliative care unit at St. Boniface Hospital, HSC Women’s Hospital, and Dr. Lesley Roberts and all the staff at CancerCare Manitoba.


A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to support ovarian cancer research at Ovarian Cancer Canada or CancerCare Manitoba.


Mary-Ann’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.


ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Kelly

April 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM

My heartfelt condolences to Mary-Ann's family. I did not know Mary-Ann, but have come to know her dear friend Allie. Mary-Ann's daughters have their mother's beautiful smile. May you carry your mom's smile, laughter and kind heart with you always. ♥️

Nell Ududec

April 3, 2025 at 10:53 AM

I taught at Dalhousie school with Mary-Ann at the beginning of our careers. I remember musical concerts at lunchtime, after hours volleyball games (sorry about the glasses Tim), and ski

trips, Her warmth and kindness extended to everyone. Her energy was inspiring. I was lucky to have known her.

Mt heartfelt condolences to Tim, Heather, Paula and the rest of her family.

 

Melaney and Dan Vermeylen

April 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM

How do we begin? We have been fortunate to be friends with Mary-Ann and Tim for over forty years. Together we have...skied, hiked, cycled, golfed, camped, explored, taught, cooked, read, danced, sung, shared our Ukrainian heritage (the girls) and told so many stories. We have...laughed, cried, celebrated, hugged, cheered and loved. Mary-Ann, you are everywhere in our home...in your favourite novels, gifts of pottery and in your homemade jams, scarves, toques and in your special Ukrainian Memory Bear. You were fun-loving, tenacious, kind and up for any kind of adventure. You were a fighter, a warrior and an inspiration. We are going to miss you, our dear friend and will hold our memories close in our hearts forever. Our hearts are breaking for Tim, Heather and Paula and their families. We love you all.

Dana Erickson and Patti Ferguson

April 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM

We feel fortunate to have been part of Mary-Ann and Tim's circle of friends through the past 40+ years. A positive and encouraging force, Mary-Ann was fiercely proud of Tim and her girls and we knew our son Adam always had a safe space to 'hang out' during his high school years! Our sincere condolences to Tim, Heather, Paula and family, we know she will be missed.

Fr. Ron Rissling,omi

March 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM

I was privilaged to ahve Maryann in my very first youth group as a newly ordained priest. She was always there and could be counted on to assi ng in the choir for our Sunday ngiht youth folk Masses.. I remember her and De De (Leftko) Halas singing duets during communion time' specifically one song from Godspell. I believe it ws called "I will be by your side". I was happy to wittness their marriage vows and am elated that their mariage lasted over the years. From the obiturayr, I see that you lvied yoru life to the full as God intends us to and that your thoughts were of others and their needs. I believe you are in heaven with all our loved ones who have gone on before us. I know you will continue to watch over us! I am so sorry that you had to suffer with cancer but it sounds like you were not just a warrior but a "thriver"! IWe lost touch over the years and I have a hard time thinking of the yung girl I knew as a 'Babba"!! But then I am celebrating my 50th Anniversary as a priest Aprill 5th-how time flies! Abba Father and Jesus bless you Tim, your girls, spouses and granchildren with healthy grieving. Let us remember that while we miss you here, you are experiecing a family reunion in heaven. Someday we will all be on the other side with you!

Allie Turnock

March 31, 2025 at 12:57 PM

To Tim, Heather, Paula and all of Mary-Ann's family, I give my heart-felt compassion.

I feel so lucky that Mary-Ann was my inspirational and fun-loving friend and job-share partner for many years in Grade 6 classes at Dalhousie. She was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic, turning on many children to her favourite subjects-science and math. Mary-Ann's students won many medals at provincial science fairs, came in first in Manitoba in the National Math Competition, and first in Canada in the Design A Car contest. All her students were encouraged to participate as Mary-Ann lived the belief that each child mattered.

Mary-Ann showed me how to live life fully, how to try and beat cancer, and in the end, how to give up all that you love.

 

May there be red licorice in Heaven, my friend.

 

 

Cynthia and Brent Stacey

March 31, 2025 at 10:59 AM

We have been fortunate to spend time with Mary-Ann and Tim in various activities through many years. We will miss Mary-Ann's positive energy and joy. Our condolences to the entire family.

Heather Wilson

March 31, 2025 at 10:16 AM

The loss of a loved one is not easy. My thoughts and prayers are with you Tim and family.

Heather Wilson

March 31, 2025 at 10:13 AM

The loss of a loved one is not easy. My thoughts and prayers to you Tim and family.

Shannon Hocken

March 31, 2025 at 10:01 AM

I met Mary-Ann through our "Gyne support " group. Mary-Ann was an inspiration to me for her strength, determination, and courage. Mary-Ann was a wonderful lady and lived her life to the fullest. I will miss you Mary-Ann. My deepest sympathies to the family.

Erin Burns-Flett (Cairde)

March 31, 2025 at 9:39 AM

It was easy to play music with Mary-Ann. She played beautifully, was encouraging and her enthusiasm, contagious. Our tunes and practices were rich with her fiddle playing and compliments - she made me a better player. During practices, between sets, we often share stories about our families and life in general - Mary-Ann was funny but also very passionate about her family - there was lots of joy there. The wonderful thing about music is the ability to share with others. During our gigs and performances, Mary-Ann’s fiddle playing brought such life to our sound and encouraged our audiences to smile, tap their toes and sometimes dance - and, of course, she had that beautiful welcoming smile - we could not ask for anything better. Her favourite phrase was “I love that tune” - and she did. The world was a better place because of Mary-Ann - I, we miss her terribly - I feel like she is really just on a holiday with the family biking and hiking in the mountains and will be back soon.

Tom and Linda Fast

March 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM

What a truly amazing woman. Loved our conversations with her and loved her spirit. Our deepest condolences to you Tim, and the family for this huge loss.

Larry Verstraete

March 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM

When I taught at Dalhousie School, Mary-Ann and her teaching partner, Allie Turnock, taught a grade six class in the area across from me. Being an open area school, I had a clear view of them and their students each day. They were a strong team and for 4 years, I watched Mary-Ann who taught science and math in the afternoon arrive in a swirl of energy and enthusiasm, fresh with ideas for her students. She loved teaching and loved kids and that was apparent from day 1.. I learned much about teaching from Mary-Ann and I am grateful that I had a chance to teach across from her. My sincere condolences to Tim and to Mary-Ann’s family and friends.

Jacquie Rivard

March 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM

Sooo sorry to hear of Mary-Ann's passing. My heartfelt sympathy Tim And family

Brenda Stewart

March 30, 2025 at 10:41 AM

Heartfelt condolences to Tim and family. ❤️

Sue Gilmour

March 30, 2025 at 2:02 AM

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Mary-Ann at Arthur A. Leach and she was a gem. We shared a Grade 7 group my second year, which meant lots of planning together, but it was more than that, she was a mentor to me. I loved watching her teach with soft kindness, and her passion was inspiring. You were one of the best ❤️

Elaine Egan

March 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM

Mary-Ann started teaching in the gym at Dalhousie School the year before I started teaching French down the hall. We became close work friends, learning handbells together, playing in a little rockabilly staff band, knitting at lunch hour and so much more. Her laughter and kind heart was so important to me! We started our families at about the same time, changed schools, and drifted apart but she stays in my memory as one of the kindest and most generous and lovely people I ever spent my workdays with. My deepest sympathy goes to her family - who I know she loved fiercely.

Wayne Drury (Cairde)

March 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM

"Cairde othe Cove" was how Mary-Ann sometimes referred to our practices at her place. Those are some of my most treasured memories-- playing music with Mary-Ann, snacking on Tim's freshly baked muffins and sharing laughter and good times. Tim, Heather and Paula, my deepest condolences for your loss. Mary-Ann was a remarkably brave and tenacious woman who was an inspiration to all of us.

Ed Romanowski

March 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM

Mary-Ann lived the spirit of the St.John's tiger! Although we were friends for only a few years at St.John's, she made her mark in showing her kindness, determination, and care in everything she did. My condolences to her family and the many people she touched during her life! It appears that Mary-Ann lived life to the fullest!

Joannie Halas

March 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM

In my teenage years, I looked up to Mary-Ann, who was my friend Mike's older sister but also close to my older siblings Fran and Joe. Mary-Ann was incredibly talented, kind and humble. I loved her for that and she encouraged me to pursue physical education despite the fact i didn't feel I was good enough to succeed. Years later, I'd bump into her and Tim at some campground - and was happy for how happy they were together. Congratulations MA for a life so well-lived and loved; our family sends Tim, your girls and their families, Cathy, Mike, Peter and their families all our love at this time of such great sadness and loss. 💔🙏🏽☀️♥️

Helen turnquist

March 29, 2025 at 3:28 PM

  • rtain you will miss her butMary-Ann was my travel buddy for two weeks in India. She was kind, considerate and fun to be with. We enjoyed tours in the golden triangle and a nearly one week wedding of my nephew. We celebrated her birthday in India, 9 years ago today. The world has lost a caring compassionate woman. Condolences to all those who have been close to her, I'm certain you will miss her and hope you take solace from your many great memories.

Lisa Unruh

March 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM

Tim, my deepest condolences to you and your family, for the loss of Mary-Ann..

Al & Brenda McDermid

March 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM

We were very lucky to have part of Mary-Ann's wide circle of friends. We have many wonderful memories of camping and cycling through Banff and Jasper when our children were young and going to celebrations at her and Tim's home. Mary-Ann's ever ready smile and laughter will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences to Tim and the rest of the family.

Stuart and Norine Pringle

March 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM

We are so very sorry to hear of Mary-Anns passing. Please accept our most sincere condolences. Mary-Ann was truly an exceptional wome

Heather Leslie

March 29, 2025 at 12:23 PM

Mary-Ann will be missed! I have many fond memories of time spent at Falcon Lake (MANY years ago)

Carmen Asu

March 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM

I will remember Mary-Ann's generous heart. I am so very sorry for your loss, Tim and family.

Alison Bergman

March 29, 2025 at 11:59 AM

Very sorry to hear of Mary-Ann's passing. My condolences to Tim and family.

Vicki and Harald Asu

March 29, 2025 at 10:19 AM

We were so fortunate to know Mary-Ann. Always a smile, kind word or good bit of advice. She will be missed in August at Hecla. Please accept our most sincere sympathy.

Johanna Handford (Cairde)

March 29, 2025 at 10:03 AM

We will miss your wonderful fiddling, your smiling face and your presence with us. Thanks for the music And for letting us into your life.

The Wong Family

March 29, 2025 at 8:31 AM

We will forever hear Mary-Ann's laughter, feel the warmth of her smile, and be comforted by her acceptance and grace (oh, those twinkling eyes).

Mary-Ann had so many special gifts, and we are forever blessed just by knowing her. All our sympathies and love to Tim, the girls and their families, and Mary-Ann's siblings..

Rest Well, sweet angel.

 

All our love,

Allison, Gord and Gabrielle Wong

 

 

Val and Geoff Nuytten

March 29, 2025 at 8:28 AM

Mary-Ann was a person who enriched other people's lives. We are fortunate for having known her. She will be deeply missed. Our most sincere condolences to all of her family.

James Falloon

March 29, 2025 at 6:53 AM

So sorry to hear of Mary Ann's passing. Our condolences 🙏 and prayers gir Tim, Paula, Heather and families. We have many lovely memories of Soccer times together, especially the National Championship in St Johns. Rest in peace.

Kathy Turnock

March 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM

Mary-Ann was my mother, Allie Turnock's, loved and respected teaching partner at Dalhousie. I did not have a chance to get to know Mary-Ann as I left for university before my mom worked with her but heard so many stories of what a great friend and teacher she was. What an incredibly rich, full life Mary-Ann led and she touched so many people during her time on earth. My most heartfelt sympathy to Mary-Ann's family and friends.

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