With great sadness we announce the passing of our dearest Mary, who gently died in VGH on September 21, after suffering a major stroke at home. She leaves behind her niece Pam and great nieces Paula and Kirsty in South Africa, Victoria family Andy, Deb and Callayna her best friend and housemate of 27 years. Also, four treasured godchildren – Calum, Emma, Phoenix and Bruce and countless friends across Canada and the world.
Mary was born and raised the youngest of three children in Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon completing university, she worked briefly as a Nanny in London before emigrating to Prince George, BC, to begin her career in teaching. After relocating to Victoria in 1965, she remained a passionate and dedicated educator who further served as President of the Sooke BCFT and Director of Instruction at the Sooke School Board, prior to retirement.
Mary had a wide range of interests, which lead to many friendships and community connections. She was a lifelong sportswoman who loved kayaking, grass hockey, distance hiking and tennis. She completed a solo walk of the Camino De Santiago at age seventy-five and continued to win competitive medals in swimming, well into her eighties.
Mary was also committed to community engagement and social justice. As a longtime member of St John, the Divine, she worked tirelessly over the years on projects benefitting the congregation and community, including St. Johns walking group, youth homelessness, peace initiatives and conflict resolution.
However, as her many friends will attest, Mary also enjoyed a great zest for living, along with a dry sense of humor. She had an abiding affection for animals and received great joy over the years from her many pets, especially her two beloved Airedales, Tessa and Sophie. She traveled extensively and had an epic reputation as a hostess, including her decades long Annual Easter Egg and Bottle Hunt parties. Mary’s generosity was further seen in the shelter and unfailing hospitality she offered to all manner of travelers, itinerant artists, strays and fellow pilgrims.
Our Mary was much loved by her family, friends and faith community and will be deeply missed. We give thanks for her life and wish her love and godspeed.
Funeral service will take place at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 1611 Quadra Street, on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm. Due to COVID restrictions, space will be limited and registration is required. We request attendees be fully vaccinated and wear masks. To reserve a space please contact the church office admin@stjohnthedivine.bc.ca or 250-383-7169 ext. 226.
The service will also be live-streamed at https://www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca/live
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
12 Responses
I had the good fortune to share in friendship with Mary during my time as Music Director at St John the Divine Church. Along with our good friends Diana MacDonald and Helen Money, we often played spirited games of doubles tennis. Mary was also an enthusiastic member of the 9.15 Family Choir at SJD, and hosted lovely choir parties at her home. Mary was tremendous fun and amazingly energetic. She was a thoughtful, compassionate individual whose wit and joie de vivre were unforgettable. Those whose lives she touched will carry her memory with them always, and I count myself among them.
I met Mary through St. John the Divine. She had so many gifts. She would construct challenging questions in a discussion, and her smile and laugh were truly soothing. She opened her home so often, to so many. My sincere condolences to all of her family, those who are related and those that she found and chose. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.