Visitation:
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Immaculate Conception Parish
3778 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver
Funeral Mass:
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Immaculate Conception Parish
3778 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver
Reception:
Immaculate Conception Parish (Church Hall)
Obituary:
Fedyk, Luz Maria (nee Palacio) passed peacefully through the gates of heaven surrounded by her loving family on March 7, 2023, in Vancouver, BC, at 96 years of age, just shy of her 97th birthday. She was born on March 22, 1926, in La Primavera, Aguascalientes, Mexico to parents Rodrigo and Esther, who predeceased her along with six siblings, several cousins, her esteemed Tio Pancho, and the family's beloved Chana, amongst others. She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, John J. Fedyk, her sons John Alexander (Jesús), Alan (Maria), Carlos (Mary), and Michael (Vida). She will be deeply missed by her cherished grandson, Samuel, her loving sister Dolores Elia (Lolita) in Mexico City, her goddaughters Patricia, Maria Elena, Paty, and Virginia, and several generations of nieces and nephews, and friends that love her throughout the world. Prior to marrying John, she worked over 15 years with Banco de Comercio in Mexico City. She made several lasting friendships with clients. Amongst her clients was her friend, future Mexican Senator, Hildita Thomas, who introduced Luz Maria to John in 1955 at the bullfights. Moving to Canada in 1959, Luz Maria helped found the Hispanic Club of Vancouver and the Vancouver Consular (Ladies’) Circle for the spouses of diplomats, was a long-time member of the Catholic Women’s League and Opus Dei, and a championship bowler with the Varsity Ridge Bowling League.
Mom was active and enjoyed sports, baking, music, movies, reading, visiting with friends and family and traveling. She was good at ping pong and grew up playing tennis. She loved watching hockey, soccer and tennis with her boys and occasionally attended Canucks’ games with Alan. Mom especially took great pride and joy frequently attending Samuel’s ice hockey games and tournaments no matter where in the lower mainland they were played. Sam truly appreciated it and reciprocated by scoring several goals for Grandma and Grandpa. It didn’t hurt that Grandma promised to give Sam a few dollars for each goal scored. Luz Maria loved providing delicious food to her family and friends. We all loved her oatmeal cookies, zucchini cake, muffins and banana loaf. Each year she would harvest apples from the backyard trees and do a marathon apple pie making session with Chana. She froze several pies for future use and surprised Carlos on his birthday with one she saved especially for him. She loved making cakes and her favourite cake for celebrating birthdays was the diplomatic cake from Bonton Bakery. She made great Mexican dishes like picadillo, tacos, enchiladas and chilaquiles.
Luz Maria loved listening to music such as Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and saw Julio Iglesias when he came to town. She often played mariachi music, but also enjoyed listening to music her sons played. She loved listening to Alex playing her song requests on the piano. Mom enjoyed watching movies with Dad, especially the classics. Mom had a great sense of humour. She loved comedy and loved to laugh watching shows such as I Love Lucy and movies with Cantinflas or comedies with Ben Stiller, that Michael introduced to her. Christmas and special occasions were Mom’s favourite. She always cherished getting family and friends together and ended each occasion with a group photo. She loved taking photos and giving us copies to mark these special occasions. Mom always seemed to be welcoming relatives into our home when growing up. The boys often gave up their bedrooms and had to sleep on a sofa. Mom enjoyed being a tour guide to our guests by taking them to places she loved to visit such as Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, walking along Kits Beach, the Show Boat at Kits, Spanish Banks, Stanley Park and as far as Alice Lake, Whistler and Victoria. She especially loved travelling to Mexico and California to visit relatives and friends. Mom was an avid reader and liked reading about current events, famous people, health and travel and various magazines. Luz Maria often copied articles offering advice to her teenage boys. She often gave the boys copies of insightful Mexican and Spanish poems. Mom did everything possible to accommodate her sons to make their lives better. Like her name, she lived in light and full of love. She loved to greet people with a hug and kiss, and she expressed her love by inviting people for dinner, giving gifts and taking time to be with people and listen to their stories.
Luz Maria was a terrific role model. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better. She never stopped reaching out to people because she always wanted them to know she cared; and her many friends and family reciprocated with enduring loving friendships, including several homestay students, politicians, and the Sisters of St. Anne at Immaculate Conception Parish and School in Vancouver. Her love, care and devotion for her husband, John, was endless and amazing, continuing through a stroke she experienced in August 2022. She moved in with Dad into a Long-Term Care Facility so he would not be alone. We are sure that her love and zest for life added many enjoyable years to his life. This exemplified her brave soul, the strong person she was and always having a wide-open heart of love. Even after her stroke, she continued to display a sharp mind and sense of humour despite having lost most of her ability to speak. She greeted visitors with a huge smile and expressed her love to everyone. Mom led a life well lived. She shared her positive outlook and love of life with everyone she met. She lived her life as a devout Catholic and always finished her conversations with her family with a blessing. ¡Que Dios te bendiga!
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 6:00PM and Rosary will be recited at 7:00PM at Immaculate Conception Parish, 3778 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11:00AM, Fr. James Walnik, celebrant. Reception to follow in parish hall. Burial to follow at 3:00PM at Gardens of Gethsemani, 15694 32nd Avenue, Surrey, BC.
In her honour, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon or the BC Lung Association .
Condolences for the family may be left at www.kearneyfs.com.