Mrs. Mary Hurst

Mother was born to Sidney and Nellie Quinton on May 28, 1924 in St. Vital, Manitoba. She spent most of her life in the Winnipeg and was a proud Manitoban. She married Kenneth Frederik Hurst (KF), the love of her life, on May 21, 1948, had 4 children, and created a loving, secure and constant home.

She is survived by her children: Richard (Karin), Donald (Margaret), Barbara, and Shirley (Bill Moons). She will be sorely missed by her grandchildren: Colin (Christie) Hurst, Kenneth (Misty) Hurst, and Carolyn (Dan) Isaacs, Brian and Barbara Moons, and her great grandchildren Cecilia and Caleb Hurst. Mom always loved children, that love attested to by her many nieces and nephews; children of her beloved brothers Paul (Hazel) and Dick (Sheila) Quinton and Dad’s brother Doug (Shirley) Hurst and sister (Betty) Campbell.

The Old Doll (OD), as she was affectionately known by all, really loved life. She lived in Fort Garry from 1954 when Dad built her a house, until her death. She spent much of her youth recreating at Victoria Beach and made many lifelong friendships there and at the University of Manitoba through the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She received a Bachelor of Science degree, but after marrying KF, spent the rest of her life as a loving housewife, mother/grandmother/aunt & friend.

Mom spent a great deal of her time volunteering, where she felt there was a need. UNICEF, Children’s Home, Junior League, Meals on Wheels, several Anglican Churches and many other charities benefited from her generosity. She also supported the cultural arts of Winnipeg, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony and Opera and enjoyed many evenings at Dance Club. Mom loved the beauty of Canada and the walls of Riley were adorned with many paintings of Canadian landscape artists

When KF built a cottage at West Hawk Lake, OD spent her summers at the “Hawk”, binoculars in hand, keeping an eye on her children’s antics and the neighbours’ goings on. She was an original Hecla Heller, going up to the resort with a number of close friends each year to renew her acquaintance with Hecla Island, in which her family had a strong connection.

Mom latterly was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a cruel disease that robbed us of our mother well before her time. Mom and Dad were blessed with a wonderful caregiver, Sonia Baladad, who looked after them both in their Riley Crescent home and, with Dad’s passing, Sonia continued to care for Mom at the Golden Door Geriatric Centre. We can’t thank Sonia or the wonderful staff, (Mom was affectionately called "Grandma" by all), for the love and care they gave Mom over the last 4 years.

So Mom is gone. She died on September 26, with her daughters each holding a hand. She died as she had lived, with dignity and grace. Life is going to go on for us, but it’s going to be much emptier. Mary was loving, smart, insightful, full of humour – she could see the absurdity in many of life’s too serious moments. We are going to miss her terribly.

We will have a celebration of Mom’s life next summer at the cottage. There will be a memorial bench placed on the Lost Lake Trail for Mom and Dad, overlooking West Hawk Lake.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice and Mom would be ever so appreciative.