Obituary of Mary Muir Prowse

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Mary Muir Prowse, on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 following a long battle with cancer, at the age of 80 years. Mary was born in Ghost Pine Creek, to George and Mary Sommerville, who were early pioneers in the district. She attended school at Baie Coulee, Drumheller, and Three Hills. After completing Normal School she began teaching at Mount Vernon near Carbon, where she met Douglas. They married on November 11, 1947. Mary and Doug were long time residents of Carbon. Her strong Christian faith was evident in her activities in the Carbon United Church, where she taught Sunday School, led church camps, and C.G.I.T., and occasionally stood in for the Minister when he was away. Mary also drove a bus to school and sports events. An avid reader, she acted as the town’s volunteer Librarian and passed on her love of books to her sons. Mary’s and Doug’s home was a family gathering place where parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends all came together. She and Doug hosted many happy family gatherings. Some Christmas dinners saw more than thirty family members sit down to turkey and all the trimmings. While others relaxed and digested their dinner, Mary was more likely to be found outside in the snow with the children, sliding down the hill in front of the house on an inner tube or a grain shovel. She will be particularly and lovingly remembered for the times she spent working with and entertaining children and young people. On retirement, Mary and Doug moved to Calgary where, among other things, they danced in the opening ceremonies of the Calgary Olympics. In Calgary Mary and Doug found a faith home at St. James Anglican Church. They also indulged in a love of travel, with trips to Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe. Each fall they loaded up their motor home and headed off to Arizona. Now Mary has embarked on the greatest journey of all. Mary is survived by Douglas, her loving husband and partner of fifty-seven years; her three sons and two daughters-in-law; Ronald and Starr, Robert, and Gavin and Sherry; seven grandchildren, Michael, Dayle, Lesley, Joshua, Sarah, Kristen, and Carmen; and four great-grandchildren, Tamara, Deanna, Taylen, and Ana. She is also survived by two brothers, George and Bob; three sisters, Mabel, Margaret and Wilda; and two sisters-in-law, Jane and Gwen. Mary was predeceased by brothers, Lindsay, John and Ronald. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at Mount Olive Church (Three Hills) on Friday, June 3, 2005 at 2:00 pm. Graveside Service to follow at Sarcee Butte Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 – 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A2 Telephone: (403) 205-3966. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Mary Prowse, a tree will be planted by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.