Obituary of Mary Ti King Low

1955 – 2024

Mary Low of Calgary, AB, passed away at the age of 68 years on Friday, April 19, 2024, after a 16-month battle with cancer.

Mary Low (née King) was born in 1955 in Manila, Philippines to Henry King and Sio Bi Ti, and was the older sister to Herman (Dolly), Aileen (Roland), Arthur (Myla), and Maybelle (Jomil). Mary took great pride in her role as the firstborn niece for the families of her parents, often telling stories of how she acted as chaperone for all her aunts and uncles when they were “courting”, as she would put it.

She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In 1980, while visiting her uncle and aunt in Vernon, BC, Canada, Mary was set up on a date with Kee Gee Low, and the rest, as they say, is history. After a whirlwind romance, it was in a garden under the stars, illuminated by the light of a car door, that Kee Gee proposed to Mary with a flower she had admired earlier – a moment she would wistfully look back on as the most romantic moment of her life. They married in Vernon in July of that same year in what would be dubbed “the Wedding of the Century” with 500 guests in attendance. Mary often reminisced that the only people she knew at that wedding were her own parents, uncle and aunt, and Kee Gee’s immediate family! They would be married for nearly 44 years, with Kee Gee devoted to her comfort and care even after she drew her last breath.

After living for a couple of years in Saskatoon, SK, Mary and Kee Gee relocated to Calgary, AB. Together they raised four children: Kyna, Keegan, Kyla (Geoffrey), and Keysha (Christopher), all of Calgary. When her children were young, Mary threw herself into motherhood, staying home with them until they were nearly through elementary school. She then went back to school and completed her diploma at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Object Oriented Software Engineering and went on to establish a lengthy career in that field. Of all her accomplishments, Mary was most proud of her children and ensured that they grew up with many and varied experiences. This included driving them to music lessons, Chinese School, travelling, visiting parks, attractions, and festivals whenever possible. Mary’s joy from her children was only matched by the birth of her grandchildren, Cedar (2) and Raine (5 months).

After retirement, Mary took on everything life had to offer with unbridled enthusiasm. Together, she and Kee Gee not only made countless road trips but also travelled and cruised throughout North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia, many times over. She joined many “seniors’ groups” and would often regale her children with stories of the field trips her groups attended and new things she had learned. She would sign up for course after course for personal interest and became involved in market trading and personal business ventures. She had a great love for flowers and gardening and enjoyed going to botanical gardens and conservatories to find new flowers to plant.

Mary had a bright, energetic spirit and will be remembered by all as an outgoing, effusive person with a ready smile and hearty laugh. She wanted to know everything about everyone she met, and it was very important to her to remember every name and detail about them. As a result, she made innumerable friends and connections throughout her life and travels. Mary was always happiest when gathered with her large extended family, many of whom surrounded Mary with their love in her last moments.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at Centre Street Church “Central Campus” (3900 – 2nd Street N.E., Calgary, AB) on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend a reception following the service and procession (details to follow). For reception details and to RSVP, please join through Mary Low Funeral Reception RSVP.

Mary’s family is deeply thankful for the services that provided invaluable guidance and support throughout her cancer journey.  Friends and family wishing to honour Mary’s memory are invited to make a donation to the following deserving organizations: Wellspring Cancer Support (Alberta), Calgary Cancer Centre (The Arthur Child), or to the Alberta Lung Association.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Mary’s family here.

In living memory of Mary Low, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.