Mary Berg

Mary Isabel Berg

nee Fraser

Peacefully on Friday, March 25, 2016, Mary Berg passed away at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 93 years.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Dale; daughter-in-law Thelma and brother-in-law Dr. Duncan Govan.  She is survived by her sister Paddy Govan of Portola Valley California, her loving, daughter Auna Marie Brown (Bill) with grandson Chris; son Bob (Lynne) with granddaughters Carly and Sayward; son John (Linda) with grandson Lee (Shannon) and granddaughter Jenna; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mom was born in 1922 in Winnipeg where she attended Daniel McIntyre School and St. Mary’s Academy.  She graduated from the Grace Hospital as an registered nurse in 1945.  She nursed at Deer Lodge then decided to try rural nursing.  She served as Matron in several small hospitals (even giving anesthesias).  It was in McCreary she met a very good looking guy who loved to dance – He thought she had a car (she didn’t), she told him she had a license and was a “very good driver” (she didn’t and she wasn’t ever!).  So they married and bought a car together!  Dad continued working on the railway, Mom nursed.  Dad “bid” on several railway locations, and Mom followed, always finding a nursing position (she did take three weeks off after each baby).  We all enjoyed living in the station houses and became the pets of the train crew!  In 1959 two events changed our lives, Dad lifting a jigger off the railway tracks injured his back and he had to find new work, and Mom applied for the position of Public Health Nurse in Gladstone.  We moved to Westbourne, Mom Drove 20 miles to Gladstone and and Dad drove 20 miles to Portage to complete his training as a RPN.  She loved living in Westbourne and developed a warm and very close relationship with Dolly Johnson (who was liked a second mother).  Mary loved stopping in at Woodside to see Jack and Irene and visiting at Keys to ensure Isabelle was ok with all the foster babies.  She had many adventures with Marie Salway the Health Educator, their pranks were well known in the Public Health Community.  Never having enough of nursing, Mary became a maternity nurse on weekends.  She said it was the happiest and most rewarding of her nursing experiences.  She developed lifelong friends on this ward Carol, Kim, Lynne, Rita, Audrey and Doreen, they remained friends til the end.

With working weekdays and weekends she still found time to be involved with the community.  She was the chair person for Child and Family Services, and attended their annual meeting up until this year!  In 1973 she was able to take the  first Clinical  course for Nurses in Northern Medical Services and as a result became one of the first Nurse Practitioner in Manitoba.  She trained with nurses 20 years her junior who were amazed at her stamina!  Mary held clinics in Glenella, Amaranth and Alonsa and was assisted by Mary Whitford and Marg Allen.  The first physican who mentored her was Dr. E. Samuels and their relationship grew to include family members – Mom was loved and supported by “Sammy” and she and our family had great respect and love for him.  Dr. Macklem then became her mentor and that was also a very good relationship.  In 1986 Mom retired from the Portage Hospital, leaving all her weekends free – this lasted three weeks until she applied for a weekend home care nurse position.  Again she developed close relationships with other nurses – Marg Muirhead and also many clients.  Mom retired from Seven Legions Health Centre in June 1987.  Over the summer she developed neck and shoulder pain and sharp pains in her back which completely disappeared when she began teaching the Health Care Aide Course for Red River College, she did this well into her 70’s.

She was a wonderful Mom, very kind and generous.  She would offer help to anyone.  She had a great fun loving spirit, a wonderful sense of humour.  Mary was very aware and concerned about the world (could not believe the US would vote for Trump).  She had a great faith and prayed nightly for her family (even the dog “Ping”).  She was comforted by her dear friend Betty and laughed with her companion Jessica.  She loved watching curling, golf and the Grey Cup (She won the third quarter score this year!).  She adored watching horse races, and loved to have Werther’s candy as a treat.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 2:00 pm in the Hall at Oddfellows Tower, Portage la Prairie, MB.   A family graveside service will take place a later date in the Minnedosa Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Big Brothers Big Sisters, of Portage la Prairie, Inc. 15 Tupper Street S. Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1W7.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com