Obituary of Mary Eustene Cherpak, Dominion

Eustene, age 93 passed away peacefully at Taigh Na Mara nursing home, Glace Bay on Saturday, January 21^st, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary (Koster) Cherpak, her loving friend and companion Francis “Frickie” MacDonald, her sister, Anna Tarasuk, brother-in-law, Roy Tarasuk, and nephew, Darryl Tarasuk.

Eustene had a forty-five-year teaching career that was devoted to the education of youth in the town of Dominion. She began teaching Grade Primary at Central School in Dominion after graduating from Teachers College in Truro in 1949. She later graduated from St Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Education degree and completed a Diploma in Guidance from Dalhousie University. She served as Guidance Counselor at MacDonald High School for many years until her retirement.

Aside from teaching, Eustene’s second love was music. As a young girl, she played the accordion in the musical group “Harmony Nine”, with her sister Anna, who played violin. She also played the piano and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was fiercely proud and supportive of her nieces’ musical talents and never missed a Kiwanis Festival or band concert. We are eternally grateful for our fond memories of trips to Dominion beach, exploring the old store, and going out for breakfast with Teen and Frickie.

She will be sadly missed by her brother John “Johnny” Cherpak, nephew David Tarasuk, nieces Joy Tarasuk, Mary Rachelle (Cherpak) Stumpf, Amanda (Cherpak) Schauerte, Lindsay (Cherpak) Milroy, cousin Joyce MacMullen and other extended family.

We extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the incredible staff at Taigh Na Mara nursing home. The care, support and compassion they provided will not soon be forgotten.

Cremation has taken place. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Feb 24^th, 2023 at 1 pm in V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home & Cremation, 16 Reserve St, Glace Bay followed by a reception. Fr. Dan Boudreau presiding. Interment will be held at a later date in Ocean Avenue Catholic Cemetery, Dominion.

 On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca