Mary Ann Felker

1953 - 2021  (68 years)

• Name	Mary Ann Felker
  Born	10 Jul 1953	, Pennsylvania, USA
  Gender	Female
  Interesting	public service
  Name	Mary Ann Wasilka
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-42843
  Died	10 Jul 2021
  Person ID	I42843	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	Rev. Ernest Felker,   b. CA 1920
  Family ID	F14477	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Wasilka
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F11168	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Mary Ann Wasilka stood up against injustices By Valerie Hill Special to the Record Mon., Nov. 22, 2021 Mary Ann Wasilka understood the language of municipal protocols. She knew how to research, formulate and express her ideas in a way elected officials understood this was not an average citizen. She was informed and wasn't about to be fluffed off as someone with just an opinion opposing theirs. Mary Ann wouldn't be surprised that the very issue she fought so hard to change, that of a living wage for municipal workers in Waterloo Region, has reared its head again, this time in a larger context as the province promised to increase the minimum wage. Former regional councillor, Jean Haalboom, recalled "She was of the opinion that if regional government leads the way, many local employers would follow. "The region has a history of leading the way with many initiatives, so why not this one?" In 2014, when the provincial government increased the minimum wage by 75 cents an hour to $11, she pointed out the reality of a paltry $5 a day more for workers. "That would be a bag of milk," she told a reporter. "That would help them purchase a bus pass. Maybe they could have meat once in a while. Maybe their kids could afford to go on class trips." In other words, it was something but not much. That same year, Mary Ann spoke directly to Kitchener City Council about development. Mary Ann was a regular delegate at council meetings. In a 2013 letter to council, she noted development charges "should be used as a planning/financial tool to encourage high quality, socially equitable, cost-effective land use." In 2015, she addressed Waterloo Region Council on transit cuts. Jean said, "When regional staff would recommend an increase in transit fares, Mary Ann stood before council and reminded us 'How fair is this fare increase to those who have no other means of transportation and are on a restricted income? Fares should not increase; they should be subsidized.'" Retired Record reporter, Chuck Howitt noted "She had a stronger interest in local politics and issues than the average person and I always enjoyed chatting with her." Chuck had encouraged Mary Ann to enter politics, but the American-born rabble-rouser had never applied for Canadian citizenship. She was relegated to standing up against injustices as a citizen and she took this role seriously, even campaigning for politicians she supported. Chuck noted that he ran into Mary Ann again after her marriage broke down, noting "she never lost her indomitable spirit." In a tribute, Chuck's wife, Janet Howitt, wrote that Mary Ann was warm, funny, and always interested in what was happening in everyone's life. "She was one-of-a kind, passionate, caring, a lifelong learner." Mary Ann was born July 10, 1953, in Pennsylvania, one of four children. Her father, Rev. Ernest Felker, was a Lutheran minister who brought his family to Eastern Canada first, then in the mid-1960s, he came to the Lutheran Church in Philipsburg. Mary Ann had four sons - Vlad, Anton, Nick and Alex \emdash and opened a home daycare and launched into a leadership role. Friend Joyce Irving said Mary Ann was an advocate for expanding and regulating home daycares in the region and ensuring a fair wage for the providers. Mary Ann had completed her early childhood education program at the University of Waterloo. "She was active in establishing policies around home daycare," said Joyce. Before changes were enacted and daycare providers were paid fairly, Mary Ann had to quit and get part-time jobs in a coffee shop, a thrift store and the LCBO. She had firsthand knowledge of how difficult life could be for low-income earners. "When Mary (Ann) got onto an issue, she was like a bulldog," said Joyce. "She was an advocate for the less fortunate; she had a soft spot for people that had been treated poorly or unfairly." Jean concluded, "Mary Ann dedicated nearly all of her spare time helping to better the lives of others." Son, Anton Wasilka, said his mom was so well known, walking around with her was like being with the mayor. She stopped to talk to everyone. "She loved movies and gardening and had a ton of friends," he said, adding she loved to take her grandkids on little adventures around the city, always by public transit. Joyce spoke of her friend as kind-hearted, a woman of deep faith. "She didn't have an easy life, but she always approached it with optimism," said Joyce, noting Mary Ann had a large circle of friends who helped her, particularly in the last year as rare cancer that had started in her eyes spread to her liver and bones. Mary Ann died on July 10, 2021, her 68th birthday. "Mary Ann Wasilka Stood Up Against Injustices". 2021. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/life/2021/11/22/mary-ann-wasilka-stood-up-against-injustices.html.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 10 Jul 1953 - , Pennsylvania, USA  = Link to Google Earth