Obituary of Mary (Marty) Frances Martina HOLLOX (nee Kelly)

November 11, 1929 – Ennis, County Clare, Ireland
February 14, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

The children sat on the arched bridge over the Fergus River in Ennis, kicking their heels and laughing, waiting for the next unsuspecting passerby to taunt. It could have been either Maureen, Tom, Marty, Francis or Pauline Kelly.  They grew up by this bridge at Riverside Clon Road.  Carefree days gave them the chance to make their own fun, to run free, and to appreciate each other.  Until Valentine’s Day this year, only Marty remained of that generation of the Kelly family.

Eventually school days gave way to the necessity of earning a living. Marty left home for the UK to study nursing.  It was here a distraction occurred—Desmond Hollox. The couple fell in love and made the bold decision to make new lives together and left for Toronto, Canada.  With limited resources Marty supported Desmond’s dreams and headed to Victoria, then Vancouver where Ann and Mark were born, then Williams Lake and finally Calgary where Julie joined the family.

With each move Mum made a warm home for us, she was resourceful and inventive: she made meals from what was at hand, she made games from labels cut from tins, she hand-stitched our clothes, she took in borders, and babysat.  She was wonderful with rhymes and stories (with only a hint of exaggeration).  Mum often resorted to a repertoire of “Irishisms”: A cheap person would “skin a flea for a penny,” if you didn’t eat your dinner you would “follow the crows yet for that food,” if you did eat your dinner you would “lick the pattern off the plate.”  There were few things better than a good laugh!

Mum did without modern conveniences and wrote many letters “home” to Ireland, ever yearning to see her family and friends.

By the time Julie headed to school, life had become more comfortable, Dad had a good career selling insurance and ultimately had his own company.  Mum found a wonderful job as a Play Therapist at the Holy Cross Hospital. This matched her nurturing nature and caring character.  Mum often came home saying she wanted to adopt kids who weren’t properly looked after. She would often secretly donate some of our things to those less fortunate.

Our beautiful mum was now able to buy us new clothes—and, even some for herself! She expressed a wonderful sense of style. Mum met wonderful friends at the Holy (in addition to her “insta friends” – anyone else who was a smoker)!  We were able to move into the perfect house: 2208.  Mum loved the poplar and spruce that circled the yard, the splashes of colourful flowers and all the birds who lived there.  Mum and Dad were finally able to show us their roots, taking us to Ireland and England for a trip that was a highlight of our young lives!

As we grew up we learned to think of others first, but no one could match Mum’s generosity, you never left her house without something to take home. If you were ill it was always dire and you got to have the radio in your room and little tuck shop gifts appeared.

More recently, Mum and Dad were proud, loving, energetic grandparents who followed the unwritten yet familiar rule book about treats, misbehaviour and mischief.

Until Dad became ill, then Mum’s focus was caring for him until she physically could not handle it anymore.

The day the trees were cut down was the day mum’s health began its real decline.

The following years brought fierce battles for the Kelly “warrior.” She faced each one managing to celebrate each day and hope for a better tomorrow.

Over the past few days as we reflect, the prayers we said with Mum as children softly return. “Angel of God, my guardian dear…” we realise we knew our guardian angel very well and know with God’s grace we will meet again.

Marty and Desmond’s family mourn:  Ann and Jim Howell and their family Niall (Alicja Pawlak), Mariann (Luke  Antosz) and Claire (Thom Phillips), Dr. Mark Hollox, Julie Gray and her family: Holly Gray Guillaume (Danny Guillaume) and great-grandchildren; Frances Kelly, Maggie Jean and Henry.

Marty was predeceased by her husband Desmond and son-in-law Gary Gray.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Reception will follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1307 – 14th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Marty’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

Our family was grateful for medical care for mum and would like to thank in particular: Drs Bridges and Kortbeek for the good call to aggressively treat mum’s cancer in 1998, Dr Jeffery Clarke Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at the PLC for coming to us in the waiting room at 2:00 am bike and backpack in tow to assure us about mum’s operation, this meant a lot to us. We are grateful to mum’s family physicians Dr Allison MacQueen and Dr Janet Ma for being proactive and compassionate with mum every step of the way.  One doctor wrote of mum: “I know it’s biased to say this, but you are basically my favourite patient I’ve ever had. You are kind, you are tough and you have the most delightful attitude about life in general.”

In living memory of Marty Hollox, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.