Obituary of TYNAN – Mary

Music, Dance, Travel, Golf, Community Service, Friends, Family – a lifetime of moments and memories all linked together by a dynamic red-head who shared her passions with all who loved her. She was a force to be reckoned with in Calgary – as a Mother, friend, community organizer and especially wife. After 61 years of marriage, being apart for just four months was too much. Mary knew that Bill needed his “Winger”. Mary was born in Detroit, Michigan on Christmas Day in 1926 while her dad, an OPP officer, was working with joint forces during the days of Prohibition. The middle child of Mary and Tom Oldfield, she was raised in southern Ontario with her four siblings. Mary came west to join her Dad right after the war, and on a blind date Mary and Bill met and fell in love, marrying in November of 1948. They were an unstoppable team. In addition to Bill, she was predeceased by her sister Regina and brother Gerry. She is survived by two sisters, Kate and Jan of Ontario; and loved dearly by her children, Russ and Jill, Maureen and Neil Sanger, John and Nancy, and Laura and Marcus Burn. She was also a much loved Nanna to her wonderful grandchildren, Wendy, Colleen, Karen, Alicia, Jessica, Shamus Burn and Melissa Burn. She will be missed by cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and those who shared her love in their service to others. Mary was the heart behind so many Calgary and Palm Springs memories. With Rotary, the shows and the BBQs were her areas of service, supporting fellowship in the club while raising funds for its worthwhile charitable efforts. She was dynamic; leading the chorus, tap dancing in the many routines, and always an organizer. Mary was an avid Golfer at the Calgary Golf and Country Club and at Desert Island in Rancho Mirage where many long and wonderful friendships developed. At Desert Island, she was active with the review shows put on by the members and organized annual trips to Canada for friends to participate in Desert Island North. She was a proud member of the Samaritan Club and was honoured in many ways by the organizations she served, including two Paul Harris Awards from Rotary. She served as the head of Rotary Anns, and the ladies sections at Desert Island and the Calgary Golf and Country Club. Mary was a doer, an ideas person and the one you went to when you needed to get things done. If it was a community cause, to support a friend, or to make twenty dozen green deviled eggs for a St. Patrick’s Day Party, there was only one person to call. Mary and Bill loved to travel and their trips took them all over the world. Important to both of them, they always traveled with friends, and if there was not an organizer, Mary would set about to be the travel coordinator for the group. It was a role she loved. She continuously inspired those around her and was even more enthusiastic if song and dance could be part of what was being done. She loved music and it loved her. As a teenager, she even had the opportunities to sing at Stratford. And now, with a glass of white wine on ice in one hand, a conductor’s baton in the other, and Bill by her side, we are thankful that she has a whole new choir to get performance ready. Please join us to celebrate Mary’s life at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 – 8th Street S.W.) on Thursday, July 29 at 1:00 pm. We wish to acknowledge the staff of Beverly Centre Glenmore for the exceptional care, respect and support shown to our mother. If friends desire, memorial tributes can be made directly to the Rotary Clubs of Calgary Foundation or to the United Way of Calgary and areas. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Mary Tynan, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.