Mary Anne Konantz

10 May 1925 to 2 January 2015

Mary Anne Konantz, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday January 2, 2015 at the Misericordia Health Centre. Mary was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Judge and Mrs. George W. McPhee of Victoria and by her two brothers, Fraser of Los Angeles, California and Ian of Victoria, B.C. Mary is survived by her daughters Patricia, Martha and Laura (David Berry) and her granddaughters Clara and Monica Peever. She is also survived by her niece Nancy and nephew David (Liz).

Mary began her schooling in Ottawa when her father was a member of Parliament. She attended Ottawa Ladies College until her father was appointed District Court Judge in 1940 in Moose Jaw. While in Ottawa, she was active in figure skating at the Minto Club.

Upon completing high school, Mary went to the Radio College of Canada in Toronto. After a short course, she was employed as a civilian Radio Operator at an Air Observers School near Lethbridge, Alberta. The AOS was disbanded within the year and Mary decided to go to university.

Mary went to the University of Manitoba where she graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science (Home Economics) degree. From there she went to Montreal and took a merchandising course at Morgan's Department Store. She was employed in management positions at the store over the next five years.

In January 1953, Mary was married in Laguna Beach, California to William G. Konantz of Winnipeg.

Mary joined the Junior League of Winnipeg in 1954 and chaired several committees before serving as President for two terms from 1964-66. She kept very involved with the community through her association with the League and sat on many community boards including the Winnipeg Clinic Research Institute; the Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation; the Manitoba Association of World Development Canadian International Development Association (CIDA), to name but a few. In 1966 she was asked to sit on the Women's Advisory Board to Expo 67 to represent Manitoba. It was an exciting time in Canada and she was pleased to be part of the country's centenary celebrations.

Mary volunteered with the Manitoba Unicef Committee and later served on the Provincial and National Executives of this fine organization. In 1972, she went on an educational tour of Columbia and Brazil to see Unicef projects in action.

The Honourable James A. Richardson announced the appointment of Mary to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in 1972. It was an honour and she was proud of her association with the Board. Laurent Picard and later Al Johnson served as President of the Corporation during her term of office. Mary represented the CBC at the Canadian Commission of UNESCO.

Politics played a large part of Mary's life starting as an active Young Liberal. She worked in many areas including campaign worker, fund raiser and administrator. Mary worked on behalf of the Provincial Liberal Executive in organizing Pierre Elliot Trudeau's campaign tours throughout the Province. In the 28 years she was involved with the Liberal Party, she undertook fund raising, volunteer coordination, federal executive (North Centre), Provincial Executive, Lloyd Axworthy's campaign, Jim Carr's campaign and John Turner's 1984 campaign. She served as a delegate to the Liberal Leadership campaign in Calgary in 1990. The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy once referred to her as the “grande dame” of the Liberal Party in Manitoba.

In 1984 Mary was successfully treated for breast cancer and considered herself fortunate to be a cancer survivor. In the 1990’s, she was diagnosed with acute rheumatoid arthritis which curtailed her activities. Each day was a challenge with which she coped courageously with the help of her family, many friends and a good sense of humour.

Mary was a lifetime member of the United Church, attended regularly and was actively involved in fund raising on its behalf.

In her younger years, Mary loved to travel and she always enjoyed a game of bridge, cribbage or scrabble with her numerous friends and family. She loved to read and discuss politics and news of the day. She had a tremendous intellect and a sharp wit right to the end. Mary was very proud of her three daughters and granddaughters and all their achievements. She was devoted to each of them and they to her. Theirs was a close relationship.

Special thanks to Gertrude Coutu for her many years of caring and friendship to Mary. The Konantz family would also like to thank the staff of the Misericordia Health Centre – Cornish 5 for their loving care.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church at 255 Oak Street at Kingsway, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 3:00 pm, followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory would be gratefully accepted by:

Arthritis Society

105-386 Broadway

Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R6