Mary ROSS

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ROSS: On Monday, November 2, 2015, Mary Isabel Ross, age 91 years, passed away peacefully at her residence in the Riverdale Personal Care Home, Rivers Manitoba. On January 24, 1924, in the farming community of Pambrun in southwestern Saskatchewan, Mary was the eldest of five children born to Alex and Hannah Ross. When Mary was thirteen, the family moved to western Manitoba where they resided on the Baily home farm and then settled on the Airey farm northeast of Bradwardine. Mary and her parents moved to their home on Main Street in Rivers in 1968 where she resided, until spring 2015 where she moved into the Riverdale PCH. In her early adult years, Mary put her homemaking skills to use and worked on several farms in the community, including the Dyer and Wood farms. In 1952, her career with the Manitoba Telephone System began in Oak River where she worked as a telephone operator with her very good friend Sadie Purdy. When the office in Oak River closed, Mary’s workplace changed to Brandon. After 32 years of dedicated service, Mary retired from her supervisory position with MTS in 1983. Mary (Martha to many) had many varied interests, and her seemingly endless energy propelled her through life. She had a true passion for gardening that she inherited from her father and was an avid birdwatcher. Mary very much enjoyed and treasured the beauty of nature. She played several sports including baseball as a young woman and curling and golf well into her 80's. Mary was a talented baker and cook who enjoyed hosting family and friends. She also enjoyed travel, socializing with friends, playing cards and games, outings with the Ladies of the Red Hat Society and volunteer work within the community including the Riverdale District Hospital Guild and St. James Anglican Church. Faith was an important part of Mary's life, and she believed in actively living that faith. In retirement, Mary had the time to take up painting and was quite an accomplished artist. Remaining to cherish her memory are her brother Jim Ross of Calgary, AB and her sister Shirley Hunt of Oak Lake, MB and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents Alex and Hannah Ross, brother Alan, sister Marjorie (McIntyre), sisters-in-law Cecelia Ross and Betty Ross and brothers in-law, Gib McIntyre and Fred Hunt. The Ceremony to celebrate Mary’s life will be held Saturday, November 14th, 2015 (TODAY), 11:00 am at St. James Anglican Church, Rivers MB, with Rev. Sally Carter officiating. Reception to follow the service in the church basement. A private family interment will take place at Ancrum Cemetery after the reception. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8 or the Riverdale Health Services District Foundation Inc, 512 Quebec Street, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0. The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Riverdale Personal Care for all their care and compassion and dedicated commitment to Mary’s comfort. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 14, 2015