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Obituary of Mafalda “Muff” GAWRYLUK
Mafalda “Muff” GAWRYLUK
In the early morning hours of Friday, December 29th, 2023, Mafalda Gawryluk died peacefully at the Rocky Mountain Village at the age of 88 years. Born December 7, 1935 to Italian immigrant parents Pietro and Guiseppina Naccarato, Maria Ersilia Mafalda, aka “Muff”, was the youngest of six children.
At the tender age of sixteen, Mafalda married John Gawryluk and soon afterwards their family was complete with the arrival of sons Daniel, Brian, and John. Tragedy struck the young family in 1961 when John died suddenly, leaving Muff to raise her boys alone. Resilient, determined, independent and hardworking, she found employment in the housekeeping department at the Tom Uphill home, retiring after more than 21 years of dedicated service.
Muff found joy in life’s simple pleasures, tending to her beautiful flower gardens, daily walks with her dogs, and feeding the birds in her yard. She was a huge animal lover, and several dogs, cats, budgies, love birds, a cockatiel, and even a dove named Marshmallow had the absolute best life in her care. Afternoons were reserved for her favorite soap opera, The Young and the Restless, and scary movies were best watched alone in the dark!
Muff’s co-workers became an integral part of her small social circle, enjoying long walks, coffee visits, church teas, craft sales, and the occasional lunch date. Vivian Zuffa, a neighbor of Muff’s for over 60 years, was a daily part of her routine as they took turns enjoying conversation at the kitchen table in each other’s homes.
A loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Muff quietly supported her family. Proud of all their accomplishments, she happily attended any/all functions including graduations, birthdays, weddings, etc. Her cookie jar was always full of tasty treats, and Christmas included her delicious scalili and her famous whipped shortbread.
Muff is survived by her sons Dan (Natalia), Brian, and John (Lynda); grandchildren Amy (Chris), Christian (Melissa), Jackie (Ed), Adam (Raelyn), Holly (Aaron), Jeremy, Nathan (January), Josh (Lara), Kyle (Alicia), and JJ (Rebecca); and great grandchildren Arhea, Connor, Carter, Emylee, Eeston, Jasmine, Owen, Benjamin, Kayden, Delilah, Lily, Emma, Dawson, Kaysin, Liam, and Hailey. She was predeceased by her husband John, her partner of 20 years, Jack Scales, siblings Rose, Mike, Yoland, Griz, and Evelyn, her daughter-in-law Connie, granddaughter Cassie, and two great grandsons, Isaac and Max.
Muff’s shy smile and her quiet demeanor will be forever remembered by all who shared in her life.
