MARY JO PURVES

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MARY JO PURVES On September 1, 2017, Mary Jo Purves passed peacefully at Tuxedo Villa, in Winnipeg. Mary Jo was born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1937, to Orval and Pearl Hammer. Raised in Florida, she was very involved in many school activities, modelling, and performed at Cypress Gardens in water-skiing exhibitions. She met Ian Purves while he was on vacation at the beach in Florida; they married and she immigrated to Canada. Throughout her life, Mary Jo remained active on numerous boards and committees, including The Junior League, Balmoral Hall and St. John's Ravenscourt schools, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Art Gallery, and St. Andrews United Church with fundraising committees becoming second nature. She compiled and published a book called "The Chefs' Best" to dedicate and feature top chefs working within the fine restaurants and hotels across Canada. She shared their stories and worked closely with the chefs to publish their biographies and favourite recipes. Additionally, Mary Jo was appointed USA Consular Agent and worked with a wonderful office staff supporting U.S. citizens in Central Canada. She was a member of the Consular Corp. Mary Jo raised four children. She started out as Mommy, upgraded to Mom, and finally "MJ". She will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends. She is survived by her children, Karen and husband, Jeff Folkard, Glen, Adrienne, Alexander and his wife, Annette. Her grandchildren, Aynsley and husband Ely, Alex, Reid, Martinique and Kai refer to her as "Gammie". Mary Jo has one older brother, Dr. Wade Hammer, who resides in Georgia. She was an elegant woman, active, adventurous, and possessed a passion and flair for fashion, interior decorating, gardening, her beloved flowers, entertaining, singing in the church choir, volunteering, and enjoyed travelling to visit her children, as well as friends and family living in Europe and the USA. She was the catalyst for adding the tennis court at the cottage, where yearly family competitive tennis tournaments were and will continue to be the center for family fun. In her recent years, she retained a strong sense of pride, a sharp wit, cheeky sense of humour, big smile and the most positive attitude. She was always supportive of her children's pursuits and biggest cheerleader. The family wishes to thank all those who cared for her in the last few years while she was at St. Boniface Hospital, Cathedral Manor, and a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Tuxedo Villa. A warm thank you to her favourite nephew, Allan Purves. She spoke fondly of all who surrounded her, cared for her, and treated her with dignity and respect. We will always remember, "At 78 you're so great; at 79 you're so fine!" Love you, Mom! A memorial service will be planned and held at a future date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 14, 2017