Mary passed away peacefully at Mount Saint Mary Hospital, Victoria, BC, on September 7, 2020 after a dignified battle with Alzheimer’s.
Mary was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, November 13, 1926, to the late Jobe Tanus and Lily (Khattar) Abbass. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years Malcolm, her infant son Gerard, born 1960, her brothers Joseph, Ferris, George, Rev. Francis and John, and her sister Philomena Hanna. She is survived by her daughters Honora Johannesen (Sigurd) of Victoria, Lillian Szpak (Robert) of Langford, BC, Ann-Marie (Alisa Palmer) of Montreal, her son John-Hugh (Mary Johnston) of Orillia, ON, and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as brothers Tony of Moncton, NB, and Cyril (Susan) of Toronto, and sisters Annie Hashem, Katherine Huskey and Simone Abbass, all of Sydney NS. Also left to mourn are her many cherished nieces and nephews and relatives.
Mary was a vibrant, lively and creative go-getter with boundless energy who drew others with her radiant empathy, sincerity and joie de vivre. Raised in a large, hard-working Lebanese family on Cape Breton Island during the Great Depression and Second World War, she overcame challenges to become a Registered Nurse at New Waterford General Hospital and a uniformed member of the Red Cross. It was at the dances in Glace Bay that she met her future husband Malcolm, with whom she shared a storybook life filled with love, romance, adventure, world travel and a burgeoning family, accompanying him on RCAF postings to Edmonton, Baden-Baden Germany, Centralia, ON, Hamilton and Kingston, before settling in Ottawa for over 40 years and eventually resettling in Victoria.
Mary was a devoted Catholic who lent her considerable energies to organizing and supporting parishes wherever she lived, including erecting two new churches, and she remained a tour-de-force in the Catholic Women’s League most of her adult life. She worked as an OR nurse at several hospitals during her career, practised private palliative care, and served more than 20 years as the public health nurse at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation head office where she was cherished and respected for her open door and sincere counsel. She was also active in politics, helping organize successful federal and provincial Liberal campaigns, and together with Malcolm served meals at the Shepherds of Good Hope soup kitchen in Ottawa.
A gracious “hostess with the mostest” who loved cooking, entertaining, reading tea leaves, playing Bridge and Tarbish, singing and dancing, her exuberance spilled over into everything she did and she was sought after for her counsel and support. She made everyone who confided in her feel special, loved and capable of achieving anything. Mary’s greatest treasure was her husband and their ever-expanding family. Our beautiful Mum and Sitdy instilled in her children, grand and great-grandchildren a sense of limitless potential, plucky resilience, can-do energy and that each was loved thoroughly.
The family wishes to thank the Sisters of St. Ann and the staff of Mount Saint Mary Hospital for their unfailing medical and spiritual care, kindness and love, and Louisa Peters, Mary’s faithful and devoted Companion.
A Private Funeral Mass was held at St Patrick’s Church, Victoria on Friday, September 11, 2020.
Interment to be announced, at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mount Saint Mary Hospital, 861 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC V8V 5A9. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
28 Responses
Our condolences to Mary’s family, her love will live on.
Susan MacDonald & Family. XOXO
I was saddened to read in the Globe & Mail of Mary’s death. I knew her in the CWL nationally several years ago. She would bring such joy and enthusiasm to our national conventions. She always had a rollicking story to tell. Actually, I had thought of her recently, perhaps the angels were preparing her place in Heaven. She added so much to life! Know that I will remember her in my prayers and I thank the Lord that our paths did cross.
Sincerely, BettyAnne Brown Davidson, CWL past national president 2012 – 2014
Dear Honora, Lillian, Ann;Marie and John-Hugh, As you so well know, your Mother was a dynamo. One of our fondest memories is when she spontaneously serenaded my Mother at the celebration of her 90th birthday back in 1987. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Our deepest condolences to you and your families.
The Bernards – Bette, Mike, Martha & Matthew
The description of your mother as a tour de force, was very apt. Your Mum was a short, formidable ball of energy.Over the years, from Centralia to Victora, Mary and Mac were part of the fabric of my parents lives and I was sorry to hear of your Mum’s passing.
My deepest sympathy to Honora,Lillian,Ann-Marie and John-Hugh …her greatest treasures and to all her extended family who loved her so well.
Honora I wanted to extend my sincere condolences to you and you family on the passing of your mother. We appreciated their friendship over the years through AolP. Please know you are in my prayers during this difficult time. Take comfort from those many wonderful memories you had with such a wonderful lady. Blessings on all.
Jim
Mary was a kind and generous neighbour. Remembering her neighbourhood coffee parties and the annual New Years Eve event when she banged the pans at midnight and shouted “Happy New Year everyone”. You will miss this lovely lady.
with love to your family,
Phyllis Macleod
Honora, Lillian, Ann – Marie and John-Hugh,
Mary loved and was proud of her family! I know your loss is great, even though you were fortunate to
have had your loving mother for so long! Now she is at peace with her beloved Mac! You have so many
memories to help you through your grief! Sending our love and prayers to you as you cope with life
without her!
Carmel and Bud Holgate
You captured your mom in that lovely tribute to her warmth and kindness. Our condolences to all of you.
Allan and Marilyn