Mary Anne Teresa King

After a difficult battle with dementia Mary Anne Teresa King passed away peacefully on November 19, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland to William Breslin and Esther Breslin (nee Kinsella), Mary developed a strong bond with her Daddy after her mother passed away a few weeks before her third birthday. William, well known and respected in small town Arklow, would often bring Mary with him when he was doing business around town, teaching her life lessons every step of the way. Mary adored her Daddy and eagerly listened and learned from him, encouraged by him to ask questions, which fostered her curiosity for years to come. Losing her mother at such a young age meant Mary wasn’t able to enjoy mother/daughter moments as a child, which she made up for many times over when she became a mother herself. No matter what challenges life threw at her, Mary endured with quiet determination, overcoming each difficult challenge with grace. She firmly believed that laughter was the best medicine.

In the early 1960’s, Mary met Philip King, friend of her cousins, and quickly fell in love. They married in 1966 in Arklow, and moved to North Vancouver, British Columbia, the following year, two months before the birth of the first of three children together. They knew no one, but quickly made life-long friends through church. One of Mary’s fondest memories of her early days in Canada was the surprise baby shower her new found friends threw for her just a few short weeks after meeting her. Baby showers were not common in Ireland and she couldn’t believe her luck at finding such kind, caring, amazing friends so quickly upon landing in Canada.

After retiring in 2006, Mary and Philip moved to Kamloops, British Columbia to be closer to their youngest daughter and grandchildren, where they again made great friends through church.

Mary was a fiercely dedicated, strong, loyal, independent mother, raising three equally dedicated, strong, loyal, independent children. Mary was our biggest cheerleader and our constant supporter. She taught us by example to face life’s difficulties with humour rather than tears. Our family would not be where it is today if we didn’t have Mary as a mother.

Mary leaves behind her beloved husband Philip, three children, Esther (Matt) McCord, Declan (Aisla) King, and Helene (Shane) Steele, two grandchildren, Gideon Steele and Max Steele, brother Dan Breslin, half brother Liam Breslin, and half sisters Ann O’Reilly and Carmel Breslin.

Funeral Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral (Kamloops) on Friday November 29, 2024, at 11:00 am.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com