Mary McKenzie

Mary McKenzie

(nee Gourley)

Peacefully with family at her side on Monday, May 21, 2012 Mary McKenzie passed away at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 88 years. Mary was born January 25, 1924 to Thomas and Jane Gourley the 5th of 7 children and grew up in Edwin.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Neil in 1980; son Don in 2010; brothers Andrew (Lillian) Gourley and David (Mary) Gourley, sisters Margaret (Jim) Cook and Jessie (John) McCartney; brothers and sisters-in-law Cecil Johnson, Glen Nichol, Margaret (Andy) Endert, Francis (Sam) Nichol, Bessie (Percy) Hammond, Dave (Marion) McKenzie, Allan (Muriel) McKenzie and Dorothy (Bill) Radford.

She is survived by daughter Joyce (Grant) McLean and their children Michael (Heather) and Amber; daughter-in-law Kathy McKenzie and children Daniel (Jenny) and Zack (Erin); son Jim (Donna) McKenzie and their children Chelsea (Tim) Barker (great grandson Titus) and Scott; daughter Gwen (Don) Brugger and their children Dean, Dave and Janine (Brad); son Frank and children Adam Page (great grandsons Austin and Addison), Sandahl Page and Alex Page; sisters Elizabeth Johnson and Gladys Nichol; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Family was important to Mary and she always enjoyed the company of her brothers and sisters. "Mum" worked at Pragnell's Bakery in Portage before she met and married Neil on June 12, 1946. They built a house at Burnside in the middle of a field at the corner of Highway #1 and #16, now surrounded by beautiful spruce trees. Together they raised five children. Mum supported Neil in farming until Dad passed on after 34 years of marriage. She then moved into Portage in 1981 to let the next generation take over the farm. Mum was actively involved in the Burnside community and Burnside church. She enjoyed participating in the activities of the Burnside Friendship Group.

Mum bowled for many years in the Spooner's Bowling League. She was a skilled seamstress in her younger years, sewing many clothes for her children, a skill she passed on to both daughters. Mum was also an avid reader. She was keenly interested in her kids activities and followed the grandchildren in their ringette, baseball and soccer leagues.

Mum was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it, without expecting anything in return.

"A light is from our household gone,

A voice we love is stilled,

A place is vacant in our home

Which never can be filled."

A Celebration of Mary's life will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 2:00 pm at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Mary's memory to Burnside Cemetery Fund, c/o Doug Hyde, Site 402, Comp.1, RR4, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3A4

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

Memories of Mum

Mum was always proud of her Scottish heritage so it is quite appropriate that she was born on January 25, the birth day of the Scottish poet, Robbie Burns. She always mentioned that she was celebrating Robbie Burns Day.

Mum spoke very fondly of her early days growing up in Edwin, going to school by horse and cutter, that is, if they were lucky. Then dances at Hartford and other surrounding halls with her brothers and sisters. She truly enjoyed the company of her brothers and sisters and although Mum did not show her excitement very often I always remember how excited she was, especially in later years, when she was able to get together with all her brothers and sisters when there were reunions or family functions that they were all able to attend. Family was important to her and most social activities and trips revolved around family. She enjoyed a vacation with her sister Elizabeth down to the East Coast to visit her brother Dave and wife Mary as well as a stop in Ottawa to visit Joyce. Then last fall when Gladys was moving to the Regency where Mum lived, I received a phone call immediately; this was not information that could wait until my next visit.

When Mum & Dad got married in 1946 they took on the task of building their first home. The site chosen was at 1 & 16 in the middle of a field without a tree. There is a picture here today of the house after being built, which I find so hard to comprehend as my earliest memories is a yard surrounded by spruce trees and lilacs. To me it always seemed like a fortress as we never knew there was a snow storm until we got to the end of the lane. We were not able to bring the spruce trees in here today but brought the lilacs in to surround Mum and make her feel at home. Mum was pleased that the house is still in the family. Mum had talked once that a woman was either someone else's daughter, wife, mother or grandmother that there really wasn't a separate identity. However she was always quite comfortable in these roles as she never liked to be the centre of attention and was always quite content in being in a support role. She was a no nonsense type of person; she did what had to be done, nothing phased her and she never complained. Mum supported Dad in farming in whatever way she could; she was a good farm wife. She could feed an army; just put another potato in the pot. She took meals to the field sometimes twice a day, sometimes 15 miles away with 3 little kids in tow. Growing up on the farm I remember dinner was at noon, supper was at 6 and lunch was at 10 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. There was no distinction between dinner and supper as a roast could just as likely to be served at noon as at six. Mum was always baking and canning, even making pickles when she didn't like them, and was particularly famous for her "Grandma Buns" and Chocolate Chip cookies. The grandkids remember baking with grandma and there was always a chocolate chip cookie to be found when they stopped by, even if it was in the freezer that never stopped the grandkids from digging in right away.

After the last child went off to school Mum did something for herself; she took up bowling. She did this for many years and it was something she thoroughly enjoyed. She also enjoyed a few bus trips with friends in the later years.

The sons and daughters-in-laws said that she was the best mother-in-law that you could wish for. She was never interfering, never voiced disapproval and was very accepting. She would babysit at a moment's notice and figured the more the merrier... they'll entertain each other.... just bring them on over. I once read that the secret to a good relationship was to give 90% and expect 10%. This is how Mum lived, she never expected anything.

Mum lived in her own house until a year and a half ago when she moved into her apartment. She lived very independently and enjoyed the Regency, often wishing she had made the move earlier. Due to speech and hearing problems, Mum regretted she wasn't able to get to know the other tenants better. When asked what she liked about the Regency the best; her answer was "the meals". It was very much a caring family atmosphere at the Regency... when Gladys moved in; Mum and Gladys were referred to "as the Sisters". Something I did not realize until Mum was in the hospital was she was referred to as "little Mary"; she would have liked that name very much.

Mum had a clear mind and was always up on world events and local news. She would have us second guessing ourselves if she had a different recollection of something. I always figured it was more likely that she was right than me.

We always teased Mum that we blamed her for all our faults or bad habits; however I think we have her to thank for all the good characteristics we also inherited from her.

Lately around Portage, there has been a "Pay it Forward" campaign much like the movie of a few years ago. This is how Mum lived; she did not wait to pay something back she was always giving to anyone that needed a hand or needed a friend without asking or expecting anything in return.

Mum, we will miss you.