When Maria was 14, her parents were forcibly moved to Siberia. She forgot her Christian training in atheistic Russian school. Through bitter times, she realized all good came from God, found peace at the feet of her Saviour Jesus and was baptized. Maria missed several boats to Canada because she didn’t receive her boarding pass. She struggled and surrendered her will to God. In 1948, she immigrated to Canada with the help of MCC. Maria graduated from MB Bible College, Winnipeg, with a BTh degree. Her teaching career included 10 years in Russia and Germany. She taught MB Bible College part-time for 5 years and was A.H. Unruh’s secretary for 2 years. Accepted by the mission board in 1954, Maria worked with women and children in Linz, Austria, for 3 years, trusting God to keep her safe from arrest by the Russian army. Maria taught Mennonite high school in B.C., then taught and counselled children in a mission rest home near Lausanne, Switzerland, for 4 years. She attended and taught part-time at University of Waterloo (Ont.). In 1972, her father was permitted to emigrate from Russia; they enjoyed their reunion until his death 4 years later. Maria wrote an autobiography, Beyond the Border. She led prayer meetings, Bible studies and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Maria enjoyed music, flowers and hospitality. Above all, she loved Jesus. She spent her last years at Tabor Manor, St. Catharines, Ont., ministering in residence as long as she could. Maria was self-supporting, placing Jesus first. Her motto was “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
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