Mary Loraine Kandik

Our mom, Mary Loraine Kandik, was born on Tuesday June 17, 1930 in a tiny home called The Lehi Store in Mesa, Arizona. The home still stands as an historical landmark built in 1886. She was the seventh child of nine, with six older brothers ; though she said, being the only girl (at that time) didn't win her any special privileges. She was delighted at the birth of ther sister Yvonne 9 years later, with whom she shared a lifelong sisterly bond. Mom loved Saturdays when she would walk to the theater and pay a quarter to watch movies all day long! She loved Jeanie Crane, Robert Taylor, and Van Johnson was her teenage crush. She loved westerns and in her later years she loved all the British shows especially Doc Martin, Downton Abbey, and swooned to Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. She lived her teen years in San Diego graduating from Cathedral Girls High School. Her best friend, Mary Adele and her have remained friends through all the years. Mom was working in a Mesa restaurant when she met Vic Kandik - seven years her senior. He must have seemed quite mature to her 18 years. They both got engaged in April 1949 and married in a backyard ceremony on July 2. Their first child, Vicki, was born a year later followed by seven more children in fourteen years. Mom and Dad loved to take us on long summer trips. We had many "interesting" adventures. One year we were stranded in Silverton, Colorado for nearly a week with car trouble. Mom kept her cool through sick kids with stomach flu, torrential rain flooding the tent, feather pillow allergies in the motel, and car parts being ordered...It could not have been easy for her. She endured many difficult situations. Through it all, she always remained strong. When Vicki and Howie were stationed in Hawaii, it was that trip that stirred in them a love for travel. Europe, Australia, Africa... Mom especially loved Australia! Shw would watch anything if it was filmed there. One of her final trips was with her sister, Yvonne, to the Savannah in Kenya and the Great Pyramid in Egypt. She loved that ! Mom worked at Sahuaro High School many years in the school cafeteria. Classmates at reunions would mention that she was cool. If they didnt have enough cash, she would let it slide and make sure they ate. She really enojyed meeting with her fellow cafeteria lunch ladies at their monthly restaurant outings. I remember hearing that she could engage the whole table with a story, but we really didnt get to see that side of her. Mom passionately loved reading; it was a sanctuary for her. She spoke of how greatly she enjoyed the cruise with Marcia, sailing with famous authors. Meeting Jo Beverly and JA Nance was a thrill for her! She mentioned how much she would love to do it again but sadly she never did. mom was an amazing model for hard work, saving money, being equally minded, and curious. She always rooted for the underdog. We all admired those qualities in her. When asked about her all time favorite movie, Camelot was the answer. We grew up to that soundtrack and could probably sing all the songs even still. Mom has eight children, seventeen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren. Our hearts ache that she did not get the novel ending she loved to read about but she lived life her way, her terms. We love her and know she is truly at peace now and can rest. We love you mom. Forever.