Mary THOMAS

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THOMAS: Mary Margaret Thomas passed away peacefully after a short illness in Souris hospital Dec.21, 2010 in her ninety-ninth year. A celebration of her life was held January 3 in the Hartney United Church. She is missed by her son Wayne (Cathy) Thomas, St. Albert, Alberta, son-in-law Andy (Wilma) Boulanger, Wawanesa, Manitoba, Grandchildren Drew Thomas, St. Albert, Alberta, Claire Thomas, Calgary Alberta, Anders (Robbyn) Boulanger and great granddaughter Esmee, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Nissa (Dan) Gyetvai and granddaughters Kja and Cali, London, Ontario, and Sister-in-law Margaret Love, Souris, Manitoba. Mary was predeceased by her husband J.B. Thomas, daughter Joan Boulanger, parents Tom and Annie Love, and brother John Love. May was born May 23, 1912 on the family farm in the Swaffham district. She attended Swaffham school and Millerway United Church. When Mary was 9 her mother had her leg amputated. As a result Mary remained on the family farm to help her mother and to help with farming. Except for the winter of 1943 when she worked in Toronto, Mary lived on the family farm. In 1946, Mary married J.B. Thomas on the family farm. They had two children, Wayne (1948) and Joan (1951). In 1947, they moved to what would be their family farm less than 2 miles from her former home. In 1978, J.B. and Mary retired to Hartney. J.B. quickly established an extensive Blue Bird network while Mary was involved in the UCW, Horticultural Society and the Hart-Cam Museum. At sixty-five Mary fulfilled a life long ambition when she started oil painting. In 1988, J.B. and Mary were devastated with the loss of Joan to a brain tumor. J.B. passed away in 1992. Mary spent several years in her house in Hartney looking after her flowers and garden. She particularly enjoyed taking some of the older ladies in town out for meals and developed many close friendships. She finally moved into Hart-Cam Lodge where she lived on her own until the time of her passing. Her family is very thankful for all her friends and for their support that allowed Mom, Grandma to remain on her own in the lodge. Your kindnesses are forever appreciated. The Hartney community should be very proud. There are very few communities where someone without nearby family could live on their own to the age of 98. In memory of Mary, donations may be made to the hart-Cam Museum c/o Town of Hartney Box 339, Hartney, Manitoba.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 22, 2011