Mary grew up on a ranch at Latham, Alberta where her love of wildflowers, birds and animals began and continued as a lifelong passion. For many years she hiked, snowshoed, and rode horses. Mary’s first career was as a clerk and secretary where she showed her talents and rose to be an executive secretary in the exploration department of Shell Oil. Mary became a business education teacher for 20 years, starting at James Fowler High, then John Diefenbaker High and ending her career as head of the business education department at Crescent Heights High School. She was a recipient of the Charles deTro award for contributions to teaching by a classroom teacher. Mary was involved with many organizations, including Desk and Derrick, Skyline Hikers and Trail Riders, the Calgary Field Naturalists, and the Foothills Camera Club. She enjoyed the arts and for many years attended ballet and opera productions. Mary travelled extensively, taking photographs as she went. She was an award winning photographer and her slide shows were legendary.
She is lovingly remembered by sisters-in-law Audrey and June, her 17 nephews and nieces and her 25 great-nephews and nieces. Mary is predeceased by her 4 brothers and 2 sisters-in-law: Bob and Gertie, Bill, Sid and Nora, and Jim.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to Alberta Wilderness Foundation or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
