Mrs. Mary Bernadette Durand

Mary is survived by her husband Paul Durand and her children Jacqueline Joly, Marc Joly (Lynn), Jim Joly (Travis) and grandchildren Jordan and Kyle. Mary was predeceased by her fourth child Ron Joly.

Mary was born June 11, 1933 in Trail BC, the second of three children of Andrew and Rose Krivak, both of Czech heritage.

Mary grew up in the Kootenays, Okanagan and eastern suburbs of Vancouver. At 17 she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After completing her basic training in Ontario, Mary was posted to RCAF Station Mont Apica, Quebec. It was there that she met her first husband, (now deceased), Claude Joly, a native of Quebec City and also a member of the RCAF.

Mary left the military after marrying Claude in 1953 and the couple had four children. Claude remained in the RCAF and the family was posted to a number of RCAF bases, including Metz, France, Jericho in Vancouver, BC, Parent Quebec, and Bagotville, Quebec.

The couple parted in 1965 and Mary returned to BC with her four children, living in Burnaby and Coquitlam and eventually marrying Paul Durand in 1969. In Coquitlam Mary worked as a cashier at the Coquitlam skating arena and later after getting her realtor’s license she worked for Royal LePage. In the late 1980’s and through the 1990’s Mary and Paul lived in Vancouver’s False Creek district before finally moving to New Westminster.

Mary was known for her keen intelligence, generosity, and love of story-telling. She was a true animal lover and always had a pet by her side. She also developed a decades long interest in astrology, and often enjoyed sharing that interest with those who were curious. Mary’s children valued her wisdom and frequently sought out her advice.

Throughout her life Mary endeavored to shape and change her world to help offer her family a lifestyle that she herself had never experienced growing up as a child.

More than a decade ago, Mary was struck with Parkinson's disease and her husband Paul stood by her side each and every day.

The loss she leaves behind is immense as are the memories we will cherish.

Our family would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff at New Vista Care Centre for their many years of kind and compassionate care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawn-burnaby.com for the Durand family.