MAJKA, MARY - Mary Majka, 90, of Mary's Point passed away on February 12, 2014 at the Moncton Hospital, as a result of a stroke. Born Emilia Maria Adler, at Czestochowa, Poland, March 9, 1923 the daughter of Henryk and Maria (Chorynska) Adler. During the Second World War, she worked in Austria, first as hospital and kitchen worker at a forced labour camp, later as a farm labourer. She studied medicine at University of Innsburk (M.D. 1951) where she met her husband, Mieczyslaw Majka with whom she immigrated to Canada in 1951, where they became known as Mary and Mike Majka. Following a decade in Ontario, in 1961 they moved to New Brunswick where they lived for a while in Sunny Brae, but mostly on Caledonia Mountain and at Mary's Point in Albert County. Mary was a homemaker but also worked in nature education (in the schools, Centennial Park, Fundy National Park, Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre Inc., and through her TV program, "Have You Seen", CKCW-TV, 1967-74) as a leader of natural history tours. As a dedicated volunteer working to protect and preserve our natural and human heritage, she was a founder of several organizations: Moncton Naturalists' Club (now Nature Moncton), New Brunswick Federation of Naturalists (now Nature New Brunswick), Albert County Heritage Trust, Fundy Hiking Trail Association and the Fundy Guild. She served on the boards of the Canadian Nature Federation (now Nature Canada), the National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada (now Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society), the Harvey Community Hall and the Canadian Forestry Association of NB., as well as on the Environmental Council of NB. Awards: University of New Brunswick D.Sc., Milton F. Gregg Conservation Award, The Citation for Mary Majka's Order of New Brunswick 2005 takes the measure of her achievements over a span of 50 years: Volunteer of the Year, Tourism Industry Association of Canada 2006, Order of Canada 2007; Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Excellence in Land Conservation, 2012. Along with her many credentials, Mary was licensed from 1980 to 2000 for the rehabilitation of injured or starving wildlife. She will be deeply missed by her two sons, Christopher (Sheilagh) of Halifax and Marc (Lynn) of Sans Carlos, California; an adopted daughter, Aga Ranney (Jonathan) and granddaughter, Olivia Marysia of Ottawa, as well as members of her extended family, David Christie of Mary's Point and Wendy Stevens Cross of Milton, Ontario. She will also be fondly remembered by all her friends and her naturalists family she has made over the years. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Mieczyslaw "Mike" Majka in November 2007.
There will be no visitation. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Mary's Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the Albert County Funeral Home, 4130 Route 114, Hopewell Cape, NB, E4H-3K2 734-2780 www.albertcountyfh.com