Maria ‘Mary’ was born March 1, 1912, in Pretoria, Orenburg. She was 14 years old when the family emigrated to Canada.  She joined her younger siblings at Eagle School in Simon’s Valley. “English as a Second Language” consisted of joining the Grade 1’s until vocabulary on that level was mastered, then joining the Grade 2’s and so on until the appropriate academic level was reached.

     As a young woman, Mary found work first at local farms or dairies, milking cows, cooking for harvesting crews, housecleaning or various household tasks.  She then found work as a domestic in Calgary.   Her employer was particular but kind.  Days off were spent with friends at the  YWCA or ‘Maedchenheim’,  a home that had been opened to young women, where they could relax on days off and also come together for church services.  Sometimes one of her brothers would come to bring her home to the family farm (located about 17 miles north of Calgary) in Simons Valley.

     On February 18, 1935, Mary was engaged to David Dyck.  They were married on March 10, 1935. Her diary entry reads as follows. “Finally the longed for day arrived.  Our wedding celebration started about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, at the school house (Eagle Hill).  We were married by David’s father, Peter P. Dyck.  After a closing song, it was off to my parent’s house for refreshments.“

     Maria and David moved to Rosemary where David farmed.  Since there wasn’t a yard on their farm, they lived with David’s parents until April of 1937.  The original house on their own land was built from recycled material.  David and a friend purchased a house from across the Red Deer River, dismantled it, and each built a home from the material salvaged.  Mary writes in her diary “We enjoyed living with our parents, and they have extended much love to us.  We give them heartfelt thanks for that.”  When the family outgrew the three-room house, David built an addition – a large kitchen.  Eventually, the Dyck ‘Grampa House’ was annexed to give extra space for the family.

     Mary & David had five children, Paul (who died in 1953), Mary Anne, Heinz, Eddy, and Elvira.  Her diary entries reflect her gratefulness to God for the gift of children.  She writes, “…again the longing is awakened within, Lord, grant us the necessary strength from above, to raise these dear children that you have entrusted to us.”

     Establishing a yard, raising children and doing her part in providing for the family kept Mary very busy.   She planted a large garden each year and also nurtured currants, gooseberries, rhubarb, a crab apple tree, and a long row of raspberries.  There was the planting, irrigating, hoeing, picking and preserving – enough to feed a growing family until the next growing season.   She managed all this, in addition to the ongoing cooking and cleaning.  When the children were young, she sometimes had seasonal hired help to keep up with the work.  She enjoyed working outside and sometimes, for a change of pace, also milked the cows. 

     Mary enjoyed visiting and playing games.  Her birthday was often celebrated with her siblings from Calgary, Didsbury, and Acme. They came to Rosemary for the day for a good visit, homemade chicken noodle soup and pie.  Occasionally siblings from farther away would be there too.  Sunday afternoon was visiting time, which the whole family looked forward to.  On winter evenings, the games would come out for ‘family time’. 

     Faith in God was important to Mary and she endeavored to pass that faith on to her children.  She so enjoyed Bible teaching, often commenting in her diary on how special speakers had encouraged her.  As a Sunday School teacher, lessons were also always well prepared.

     In October of 1966, Mary became ill and in quick succession had two surgeries, one to remove her appendix and one to remove cancerous growth.  This was followed by a lengthy convalescence.   She was allowed her first day pass from the hospital on Christmas Day of 1966. She was thrilled to be home and the whole family was delighted to have her at home again.   She was also thrilled to be able to attend a church service on New Year’s Eve.  Soon after that she was well enough to stay home.   David was able to take her to see her relatives in B.C. and Alberta.  However, her health continued to deteriorate and she passed away August 15, 1967.

     David spent a few years by himself and then remarried to Luise Rempel,  on July 25, 1971.  They spent seven enjoyable years together.   During those years they planned and built a house in Rosemary and established good friendships in the community.  David also enjoyed woodworking and Luise found great satisfaction in creating quilts for MCC.  David passed away November 16, 1978.  Luise continued on as ‘Mom’ and ‘Oma’ to the Dyck family until her passing December 26, 2011.

     David and Maria Dyck’s direct descendants number 53 (2023).