Mary Guest

September 3, 1920- December 13, 2013

Our beautiful Mom, Mary Guest, age 93, danced off to meet Dad (Harry Guest) on Thursday December 13, 2013.

Mom was born to Percy and Mary Jane Hallam in Vancouver, B.C.in 1920. They soon moved to Anyox, a boom town on the shores of Observatory Inlet. In 1926 the family moved to the farm in Hatzic Prairie. It was in there that Mom’s empathetic nature and grace earned the first of her many lifelong friends; many of whom she joined last week.

She loved school and learning and continued this pursuit at Royal Columbian Hospital where she became a Registered Nurse in 1942 and later practiced her much loved and acute skills at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. Mom moved to Mission when she and Harry were married in 1945. She practiced private nursing in Mission Memorial Hospital.

Mary and Harry raised 5 beautiful girls Mary Lou (Neil Bond), Barbara, Beverly, Elizabeth (Rod Coote) and Patricia (Walter Ross). Mary’s calm serenity and nurturing personality although sorely tested by the ‟girls” continued on the ‟farm” where they moved in 1971. Mary inspired every one she met to be just a little better the next time around. There are incalculable moments of adjustments, some minute and some huge as the result of Mom’s interjection, desired or not, into everyone she touched. The Christmas trees even stood straighter and greener when Mom went to do the inspections ensuring her loyal friends and customers were getting the best. Mom and Dad were rightly proud of the green oasis they grew in Ferndale as they spent their last years growing the best Christmas trees in the valley and sharing Christmas memories with many new friends and family.

Mom continued on at the farm working another Christmas after Harry died in 2010. In October, 2011 she and Goldie moved in with one of her daughters and her family to Peachland, B.C. where she developed and inspired new friends even as she was fading.

Mary is survived by 4 daughters, 7 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, loving sister- in- law Rosita Hallam and her family and Rita and David Pink of Britain. She is predeceased by her soul mate Harry, her faithful brother Phillip her beautiful daughter Elizabeth and her beloved granddaughter, Rio.

Memorial will be held at 2 pm February 8, 2014 at St. Andrew's United Church, 7756 Grand Street, Mission, B.C. V2V 3T3 with a tea to follow.

Memories may be shared online at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com.

Donations may be made to the Lookout Society http://lookoutsociety.ca/ or any charity of your choice.