Obituary of Mary Elizabeth HUDSON (nee Urquhart)

July 7, 1929 – New York, New York
February 3, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Mary Elizabeth (Urquhart) Hudson left us Wednesday, February 3, 2021.  Mary was born in New York City in 1929.  She said she was destined to be a stockbroker, being born in the year of the Great Crash.  Her path to that incredible, glass ceiling shattering career was a story of tenacity and will.

Mary attended Dalhousie University in Halifax in the early 50’s where she met her husband Dr. Aubrey Hudson (d 1980).  Their early life together took them to Montreal, the U.K., Campbellton, NB, and then Calgary, AB in 1965.

A true pioneer, Mary became a stockbroker at a time when women were not welcomed in the old boys’ Bull Pen.  How she survived with a phone and phone book and no support from colleagues and peers is a legendary story.  Mary started her career 1968 at Bongard Leslie (corner of 9th Ave and 2nd St) and finished her career in 1998 back at same corner in a 40th floor office in Bankers Hall with BMO Nesbitt Burns.  She loved stocks, disliked bonds, believed in quality, and never (almost never) speculated.  She loved her job and she loved her clients.  There is a generation of advisors that were mentored on her “Maryisms” and she was a fierce supporter of young advisors and women in the industry.

Mary had a bold love of adventure.  On retirement she bought a used RV and headed out as an “RVGYPSY” on adventures that took her from the Rockies to The Rock.  She had over 20 winters in Mesa AZ, where she made great friends and hosted Alberta bridge friends and family every winter.  She cruised and toured every opportunity she had and made it to many corners of the world. 

Like all Maritimers, Mary’s heart belonged in Nova Scotia.  She spent every summer at her cottage in Parrsboro from retirement to 2020. She had a community of friends and family always ready to join her for drives, lunch, and over to the beach to watch the Fundy Tides.  She had her church and her bridge community and it was always “home”.

Mary was a voracious Bridge player and became a Grand Master in her 80’s.  Bridge provided her with community, travel, and many great friendships. She cruised often with her Bridge buddies and had many good games with her friend Marj.  Even as her health failed, she could still play a pretty good game.

Mary leaves to mourn her 4 children, Beth (John Kuchera), Diana Whalen, John (Sandy Paddick) and Heather; and the best daughter she never had Ann Vallentin.  Her six grandkids spanned three generations and all called her by a different name:  Baba (Chris and Geoff Kuchera), Manna (Caroline and Stewart Whalen), and Gammy (Charlotte and Bella Hudson). She had three delightful great-grand children, Ryan, Amelia and John.  She was fiercely proud of all of us and she never stopped pushing us to be our very best.  She was our biggest cheerleader and our most trusted advisor.

The family would like to thank the community at the Manor of Garrison Woods where she called home for the past ten years, and especially to the Wellness Team that were integral to her comfort over these recent months.

Mary was a staunch supporter of women and women’s rights.  She was an active member of Soroptimist International of Calgary, supporting the lives of women and girls in the community.  She made many lasting friends and memories with the women of this club.  She believed in having education accessible to all women.  If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Soroptimist Foundation of Canada (soroptimistfoundation.ca), The Mary Urquhart Hudson Bursary at Dalhousie University  (Dal.ca) supporting scholarships for women in the sciences, or to The Ottawa House (Parrsboro Shore Historical Society) PO Box 98, Parrsboro NS B0M 1S0 (pshsottawahouse@gmail.com).

We hope everyone will help us celebrate her life by wearing bright colours and having a Mocha in her honour.

Farewell to Nova Scotia.

Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Mary’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

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

Mary Hudson - Service Program