Mary Dancavitch

Mary Dancavitch was the second oldest child of John Bialas and Katheryna Seredensky. John and Katheryna both immigrated to Canada from their home country of Ukraine in their teenage years and married in 1916 in Brantford. Even from an early age, carrying on Ukrainian customs and traditions was very important to the members of the Bialas Family, and Katheryna taught her daughters the fine art of making various Ukrainian dishes, Easter Bread and Pysanky. Mary later passed on these traditions to her children, who also continued them with their families. 

Mary loved organizing parish events, participating in the choir at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, and volunteering her help and expertise in the numerous clubs and events held at the parish hall. She was often called upon to be a translator for other Ukrainian immigrants, assisting them in getting established in their new Canadian homes. 

Mary took her turn as President of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League as well as the Senior Sunflowers. She was proud to be Chairperson, Mayor, and Volunteer of “Village Ukrainia”. Mary also loved organizing trip for the Ukrainian Seniors to Montreal and Ottawa. In her 90s, while living in Charlotte Village, Mary, along with a small group of singers, performed both Ukrainian and English Christmas Carols for all the seniors. 

Due to her dedication to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, the Parish Hall, and Village Ukraina, Mary received numerous awards for the many years that she volunteered. She received them from the City of Brantford and even the Pope.