Mary Charlotte Werner

Mary passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Bow View Manor in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 101 years. The second of nine children, she was born on November 19, 1919 at the family homestead near Grande Prairie, Alberta to Bjarne and Olava Throness. A five kilometer horseback ride to a one room school was a common occurrence until completion of grade 9. High school and business college were attended in Grande Prairie. Mary enrolled at the Peace River Bible Institute where she prepared for her life’s work as a missionary. Immediately following graduation in 1943, Mary married Henry Werner. The newlyweds booked on a freighter to commence their mission work in Bolivia and Argentina, followed by a teaching assignment in a Bible college in Cuba. In 1949 Mary and Henry opened a mission work in St. Lucia, followed by teaming with others in St. Vincent to open the Windward Islands Bible Institute. During these years, Mary was actively involved with Henry in teaching and establishing new churches. From 1955 to 1974, she operated the Western Canada office for World Team, first in Three Hills and then in Calgary. Upon retirement from World Team, Mary worked as secretary for the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Calgary for twenty years. Mary enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening and writing. She published many articles and two books. Her last book, Inspirational Gold, was published in 2005. Mary is survived by her four children: Walter (Linda), Murray, Marylin (Allan Rand), and Ruth (Bill McKeeman). Five grandchildren survive her: Jeffery, Kristin, Kari, Dylan and Sara. Surviving siblings are Oswald (Ruth) Throness, Myrtle (Bob) MacKenzie, Lloyd (Hazel) Throness and Dean (Lucille) Throness. She was predeceased by her husband Henry, her brothers Chester and Harald, and her sisters Olive and Hazel. This gracious woman loved family, friends and work. But most of all, Mary loved her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Bible study and prayer were her life-long and daily habits. She had no fear of death; rather, with anticipation she would dream of the day when she would be with her Lord and Savior who had unfailingly loved her and forgiven all her sins, and whom she served faithfully for over 80 years