When Mary was 4, her family immigrated to Canada, settling in Beechy, Sask. She had to wait to start school until age 8, when her younger brother no longer needed her care at home. Due to crop failures in 1934, her family moved to Beamsville, Ont. At special services in 1936, the Holy Spirit spoke to her heart. In 1937, her family moved to Virgil, Ont., where she met Cornelius at the MB church. In 1960, Mary and Cornelius bought a 66-acre fruit farm. In 1973, they moved St. Catharines, Ont., where Mary had beautiful gardens. She was known for her baking; her grandchildren loved her zwieback and cookies. Mary and Cornelius helped start Niagara Christian Fellowship Chapel and served at custodians at Grantham MB Church. She loved collecting shells in Florida and making crafts with them for her children. After Cornelius entered long-term care at Tabor, Mary moved into Tabor apartments in 2001. As her Lewy Body Dementia took over, she moved into long-term care.
