Mary was born on June 21, 1924, in Orloff, Zagradowka, South Russia, in what is now Ukraine. Her parents, John and Mary Friesen, fled Russia when Mary was just over a year old. Yearning for freedom and opportunity, they sailed to St. John’s NB, Canada.
They first settled on a small farm in Hochstadt, Manitoba, where Mary’s sisters, Elizabeth and Hilda, were born. After relocating to Coaldale, Alberta, the familygrew with the birth of Alfred (Fred), Freda, Erika, Susie and Elsie.
Due to the large family and the rigors of running a farm, Mary, being the eldest, was a great help in raising her younger siblings.
They continued westward in 1941, moving to Greendale, BC, when Mary was 17 years old. A dedicated, hard-worker, she took on a variety of jobs with her cousin, Helen Penner. These included cleaning rooms at Harrison Hot Springs and working for Boeing Airlines in Vancouver.
In 1943, the family relocated to Arnold, BC, where Mary met the love of her life, John Penner. They were wed Nov.21, 1946, in Arnold Church. Soon after, their first child was born, a son, Robert (Bob) on March 11, 1956. Theirs was a loving home, guided by caring, faith and devotion. Mary loved to bake and was an accomplished seamstress. When she did have spare time, reading was a passion.
They bought a small farm in Arnold where they grew raspberries, blackberries and had an impressive garden. Mary’s green-thumb, coupled with her generosity, meant that family and friends would often receive gifts of her magnificent fruits and vegetables.
Once her children were a little older, Mary worked as a checker at Moore’s raspberry farm where she was known to be very meticulous and cheerful.
Once the kids had moved onto lives of their own, Mary and John downsized to a residential house in Clearbrook.
Upon John’s death in 1988, Mary continued on in their family home and started working at Sherwood Manor and Menno Home as a nursing aide.
A devout Christian, Mary was baptized and joined Arnold Church, a loving community that she would cherish for the rest of her life. Friendly and gregarious, she enjoyed fellowship with womens’ Church groups. She was dedicated and selfless, volunteering for many years at the Mennonite Central Committee in Clearbrook.
As her health declined, Mary became a resident of Menno Home. The family would like to extend their heart-felt thanks for the outstanding care and attention Mary received there in her twilight years.
She enjoyed many visits from her daughter, son, sisters, and extended family. Her numerous outings with daughter Marilyn to Mill Lake were a special highlight where she could appreciate nature.
On the evening of March 9, 2020, Mary passed away peacefully into the arms of Our Lord. She will be remembered as a strong person, a devoted wife, a loving mother, a loyal sister, and fun-loving friend.
In addition to her son Bob and daughter Marilyn, Mary leaves behind sisters Freda, Susie, Elsie, and many nephews and nieces.
Mary is deeply missed by her family and friends.
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