Mary and her older brother Abe played in the pastures and fields of their farm, making miniature fences with nails and string. She was 10 when she led her 6-year-old sister Bertha to Jesus while they were walking to a birthday party organized by their Sunday school teacher. Mary had mental illnesses in her teens but overcame them. She lived with her family in Main Centre, Sask., until leaving for Bible college in Winnipeg at 21, and later, teacher’s college in Saskatchewan. She was a teacher most of her life. She also spent 39 summers working at Camp Arnes. Mary cared for her mentally disabled brothers, teaching the youngest, Wally, to take the bus to and from work. She helped her parents with her brothers, even after the other children left home. Mary loved art and music; she lent her strong alto voice to choirs. She entered the Winnipeg Music Festival in the folk song class. She learned to play the auto harp, recorder, and cello, always helping music groups and offering solos. Her great-nieces and great-nephews were precious to Mary, who spent time go-karting and making pictures with them. She took pleasure in always being ready to give a ride when others needed it.
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