Obituary of Mary E. Badura

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Badura on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Riverview Gardens, Chatham, at the age of 88. Mary was the youngest child, born on May 19, 1937, to Josef and Marie Mojzis. She was the true definition of a hardworking farm girl throughout her life.

It was at a church function in the fall of 1955, that young Mary met Charles Badura, who was visiting from Taber, Alberta—and this is where their sweetheart story all began. Both Mom and Dad always claimed it was truly love at first sight! A year later on November 24, 1956, they were married and began their new life together on the farm in Harwich Township, Chatham.

Side by side, through hard work and sacrifice, Mary and Charles farmed the land with great determination and raised a large family of seven children. Together, they celebrated their Czech heritage with great pride and enthusiasm. This often meant regularly attending polka dances—over the years, Mom acquired an impressive collection of dancing shoes, matching purses, and dresses.  Even in later years, the melody of Czech music could always be heard as you entered the house.

In keeping with her heritage, Mom mastered many complex and delectable recipes with ease, ensuring a bountiful meal was always set before her family. Mom and Dad often worked in unison to perfect that pot of chicken noodle soup, roast duck, dumplings, or one of her endless and impressive desserts. Her family will fondly remember—and truly miss—her remarkable culinary skills.

Whenever the opportunity arose, both Mom and Dad loved to travel. Although many trips involved visiting Dad’s family in southern Alberta, their adventures also took them much farther away from Chatham. In the spring of 1975, Mom and Dad embarked on a month-long trip overseas to the Czech Republic, entrusting their children to Grandma Mojzis during that time. Without a doubt, it was the trip of a lifetime—and no mishaps occurred in their absence!

Mary will always be lovingly remembered as a hardworking and caring mother by her children: Paul and Susan Badura, Angela and John Buxton, Rosalie and Patrick Mancell, Mike Badura, Jeremy and Magda Badura, and Janet and Derek Wilken. Mother-in-law to Bella Badura. She was a cherished grandmother and great-grandmother to Evan and Jen Badura, Chanel Badura-Barry, Cameron and Emma Mancell, Chamille and Chameron Badura, Emma and Benjamin Badura, Lilah, Max, and Quinn Badura, and Shelby Barry.

Mary will be fondly remembered by Charles’s surviving siblings in southern Alberta: Frank Badura, Mary Kusalik, Annie Cudrak, Mildred Braat, Rose Badura, and Helen Zadnik, along with all of their families. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews residing in Ontario, the USA, and Alberta.

Mary was predeceased by her sweetheart Charlie (June 2017); her son Gerald Badura (July 2025); her parents Josef Mojzis (December 1972) and Marie Mojzis (January 1985); an infant grandson Drew Badura (1986); her father-in-law Florian Badura; mother-in-law Frances Badura; her sister Julia and husband Fred Kozlof; and her brother Joseph and wife Mary Mojzis. She was also predeceased by Charlie’s siblings: John Badura, Joe Badura, Beth Braat, Lydia Brecka, and Frances Pavka.

Resting at the Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home, 156 William St. S., Chatham where a private family visitation and service will be held in honour of Mary’s life, with inurnment taking place in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation would be appreciated by the family.