Mary Katharine Hill

Mary Katharine Hill

1946 - 2026

On April 12, 2026, following a battle with cancer and a brief critical illness, Mary Katharine Hill of Swan River, formerly of Bowsman passed away at the age of 79 years.

Mary is survived by her 4 children: Kathy (Todd) Ward and family of Brandon, Sharon (Fred) Coulter and family of Bowsman, Dave (Wanda) Hill and family of Bow Island, AB, and Darryl (Lynn) and family of Bowsman, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 3 brothers Ernie (Eileen) Krys and family of Kellogg, Idaho, Bill (Debbie) Krys and family, of The Pas, Larry (Suzanne) Krys and family of The Pas and Bill Krywy (brother-in-law) and family of Winnipeg.

Predeceased by her loving husband Jim Hill, parents Doris and Leo Krys, sisters Carol Krywy and Joanna (Jack) McKinnon, nephew John McKinnon, parents in law David and Cora Hill, brother-in-law Donald Hill, sisters in law Nellie and Harold Sauder, Isabelle Watts, Peter Watts.

Mary was born November 29, 1946, in The Pas MB to Doris and Leo Krys. She attended school in The Pas and graduated from The Pas Collegiate Institute. Mom had a high aptitude for her typing skills as we discovered from her proficiency marks for typing and shorthand. Upon graduation, Mom was successful in securing a job as a telephone operator with MTS and her first training would be in Brandon, MB. Following this training she would return to The Pas to continue working. It was at this time that she met our dad, Jim, and after a brief courtship they married on December 17, 1965. They welcomed four children while living in Thompson and Mom worked for Inco Mines throughout the years there. In December of 1974 they moved to the farm in Bowsman and farmed until 1995. Throughout the farming years, Mom worked at Swan Valley Credit Union as a receptionist in the loans department, cashier at Bank of Montreal and cashier at the Swan Valley Co-op. Mom would say that her favorite job was making popcorn in the Co-op one day a week and meeting the customers was the best by far. Only second to being Gigi to her four great grandchildren. Mom worked in this part time position until she was 73 years old! They made the move to Swan River and would enjoy their new neighbors in the condo unit.  Mom and Dad celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in 2024 just prior to his passing.

Mom would tell us regularly that she missed Dad after his passing. Even though he was the remote-control expert, she said that she would watch all the same sports as though he was still there with her, despite being able to watch whatever she wanted. Mom kept busy with attending Seniors in Swan River, playing bingo with her friends Georgette Bickell and Billie and Bev Gornik and visiting and playing cribbage with Jo McKnight, Judy Seib and Cynthia Tall. Mom also enjoyed playing crib with her family and carrying on Dad’s tradition of skunking us whenever she could. She found a new passion in diamond art which she shared with all her family and friends. This helped to pass the time in the evenings. She was always known for having perogies on hand and would whip up a small lunch for anyone passing through for a visit. Mom became a regular attendee to St. Columba’s Church with moving to Swan River. It provided Mom with the much-needed church family and friends that she enjoyed. She was also a member of the Swan River Legion.

Mom was extremely proud of her four children and their accomplishments. She was equally proud of her seven grandchildren and loved to hear their stories. Her greatest title by far was “Gigi” to her four great grandchildren. She loved to attend their Christmas concerts or dance recitals as she was able.  She would connect as often as she could with her brothers by phoning weekly for a checkin and keeping up to date with them. Her niece Patricia Molyneaux shared Mom’s birthday November 29th and Mom always said that was her best birthday present ever at the age of 10 years.

Over the last year Mom was diagnosed with cancer. She began her treatment in November of 2025. Unfortunately, other challenges presented themselves and Mom required further investigation and testing. This ultimately led to an admission to HSC in Winnipeg and following a critical episode Mom passed away with family at her bedside. The family wishes to thank Drs M Adeboyega, J. Offerni and the ICU attendings and staff at SICU of HSC for their care of Mom

If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Mary may be made to Canadian Cancer Society St. Clair Ave West, Suite 300 Toronto, ON M4V 2Y7, Bowsman Lions Club Box 222 Bowsman, MB R0L 0H0 or Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation- Chemotherapy Department Box 1450 Swan River, MB R0L IZ0.