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Mary was born February 15, 1937, in Bruno, Saskatchewan to Veronica and Edward Helmink. At the age of 22 she travelled to Quesnel to help look after her sister Antonia’s children. Here she met Stan Selzler, and after a short romance, they were married on November 28, 1959. Between 1960 and 1963 Mary had three Children: Russell, Kevin and Christine.


Over the years Mary has worked at Willis Harper and at the Royal Canadian Legion as bartender and Branch Manager. After retirement she became very active in the Ladies’ Auxiliary, volunteering as Treasurer for many years and organizing/preparing numerous banquets and luncheons. Mary especially enjoyed doing the Veteran’s dinners. She was also noted for her yummy butter tarts!


Mary enjoyed her time as Social Coordinator with the Quesnel local of the BC Special Olympics, where her son Russell is an active participant. At home she kept busy with quilting and yarn crafts, and crocheted a multitude of afghans that were used as gifts or raffled off by the Ladies’ Auxiliary.


Mary is survived by her husband Stan, daughter Christine, sons Russell and Kevin, grandchildren Kayla, Tyler and Jesse, great grandchildren Josia and Joel, brothers Edward, Wilfred and Wilbert, sisters Madeline, Bernadette and Antonia and many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents Veronica and Edward Helmink, brothers Francis, Bernard and Lindy and sisters, Gertrude and Lavina.


Mary will be dearly missed by her loving family and friends.


Those wishing to honour Mary’s memory by way of donation, may do so to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or to the charity of your choosing.


A memorial tea was held at the Royal Canadian Legion on November 4, 2008 at 1:00 pm.