Mary Elizabeth (Hess) Dirauf

It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mary Beth Dirauf (nee Hess). Mary Beth died peacefully with her family at her side on November 14th in the North Island Hospital in Comox Valley. In early 2020 she was diagnosed with ALS. Her journey was courageous and inspiring to those closest to her. Mary Beth passed on her own terms, dying with dignity. She was funny and joked all the way to end.

Mary Beth was predeceased by her husband Arno Dirauf in 2007. She is survived by her brother Richard (Betty), and her nephews Travis (Jacki, Ashby, Jolene) and Scott (Marnel).

Mary Beth Dirauf was born in Ontario to Jean and Harold. Her early youth was spent in Napanee and Sudbury before moving to northern Manitoba in 1956. She spent the balance of her youth growing up in Thompson. She continued her education at the University of Manitoba, where she completed her degrees in Arts and Pharmacy.

Mary Beth then met the “love of her life” Arno Dirauf. Together they worked and farmed near St. Rose DuLac, MB. Mary Beth pursued her career working in both community and hospital pharmacies in the Dauphin region until retirement. In the wintertime, she and Arno took every opportunity to explore the ski hills of western Canada and the US. In the summertime, Mary Beth loved to golf and maintained an active lifestyle.

Following Arno’s death in 2007, Mary Beth moved to the Comox valley, where she would be close to friends and family and be able to ski & golf to her heart’s content. She continued to work part-time as a pharmacist.

Mary Beth will be dearly missed. She was fearless, independent, loving, and funny. We look forward to hitting the slopes of Heaven with her and Arno when the time comes. Mary Beth chose not to have a service. We ask that you embrace a loved one with a smile, and to dedicate your first annual ski run or golf game in her memory.