September 9, 1942 - September 20, 2023
In loving memory ~
After a lengthy battle with cancer and heart disease, Mary passed away in the company of her family. Left to grieve are her husband Lorne of 58 years; her four daughters, Laura, Anne, Janet, and Chandra; sons-in-law John and Dave; grandchildren Serena, Anna Sophie, and Benjamin; three sisters, Pearl, Doris, and Yvonne; and sister-in-law Mary.
Mary was born in Lowville, New York, the fourth child of Marion and Harold Graves. Following graduation from Lowville Academy and Central School, she attended the Central City Business Institute in Syracuse, NY. She worked at Cornell University, where she met and married her husband. They moved to Ottawa in 1965, and then, with their family of four daughters moved to Agassiz in 1974. Mary worked as a mother and housewife for several years and is best appreciated by her daughters for sewing many costumes for their dancing school. Later, she rejoined the workforce as a secretary at the District of Kent office and then transferred to the Fraser Valley Regional District, where she worked as an administrative assistant for 15 years.
Mary was a lifetime learner, receiving a diploma in general studies from Fraser Valley College. She enjoyed music, playing guitar and mandolin with musical groups entertaining at care homes, and joined her daughters in spontaneous sing-alongs. She took great pleasure in walking the lagoon in Harrison with her dog Trevor and giving him an ice cream cone on his birthday. She was very interested in politics, and her husband will miss their lively discussions.