Obituary of RAMSAY – Mary Elinor

October 1, 1920 – August 31, 2009 Mary Elinor Ramsay of Calgary, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, August 31, 2009 at the age of 88 years. Mary was born in Purley, England on October 1, 1920. Mary returned to the family home in Montreal at nine months of age. She worked at the Montreal General Hospital as an X-ray technician where she met her beloved Don. Mary and Don were married April 18, 1942. They moved their young family to Calgary in 1946 following Don’s service in the Canadian Army during World War II. Mary was an active member of the Junior League and worked for years volunteering her time at the Well Baby Clinic and the Next to New Shop. She also devoted her time to the United Church Women association. Mary created many memories throughout the years at their treasured cottage in Windermere, B.C., where she golfed, knit, worked in the gardens, and played with her grandchildren. Mary and Don spent their retirement winters at their home in Sun Lakes, AZ, golfing and entertaining good friends. Mary thoroughly enjoyed knitting and spoiled the family with gorgeous and thoughtfully knit sweaters, baby clothes, Afghans, and other treasures. Mary appreciated the fruits of Don’s gardening labours, including fresh vegetables in family meals, and often displaying bouquets of sweet peas and pansies to compliment her own African violets. She enjoyed family gatherings, and spent hours in the kitchen and in the background, just listening to the banter and revelling in the ambience created. Mary will be greatly missed by all who were touched by her caring, loving, and giving nature. Mary is survived by her five children, son Jim (Sheryl) and children, Shannon (Mike) and great-grandson Matthew, Todd (Ashley) and great-granddaughter Addison and Kate; son Bob (Diane) and children, Janice Lochhead (George) and great-grandsons Eric and Alex, Brock (Kristen) and great-grandson Ben; daughter Trish Guenette (Roland) and children, Paul, Genevieve, Emily and Madeline; son Allan; and son Ray (Shelley) and daughters Brittney and Breanne. Mary was predeceased by her husband and best friend Don on August 15, 2005 after 63 years of loving marriage. Mary – Embraced by Love; loved the people close to her and demonstrated it through her giving nature and unwavering help. We returned her love and thank her for being the best mom and loving grandmother anyone could ask for. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Friday September 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson’s Society of Southern Alberta, #102, 5636 Burbank Crescent S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 243-9901, www.parkinsons-society.org. The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Glen Gould, and the wonderful Focus on Caring staff Sylvia, Emma, Pinky, Amy and Sally and to the excellent staff at the Foothills Hospital, for their care of Mary . In living memory of Mary Ramsay, 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.