Obituary of Mary DESROCHERS

August 24, 1931 – Battleford, Saskatchewan
May 2, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of the matriarch of our family, Mary Desrochers, on May 1, 2021 at the age of 89 years. 

Mary was born on August 24, 1931 in Battleford, SK, which is where she spent her childhood with her three younger siblings. After working for a few years after high school, Mary started working at the psychiatric hospital in Brandon, MB while she was training to be a nurse. While selflessly furthering her career at the hospital, she met the love of her life, Rick, and they were married on December 17, 1952. After they were wed, they bought their first home in Winnipeg and went on to have three beautiful children. Brian, Deryl and Kimberly were all born in Saint Boniface and in 1962, Rick and Mary moved to the farm in Baldur, MB where their family spent the next seventeen years raising livestock and growing grain. Mary loved cooking, baking, knitting and crocheting things for her loved ones. She also always had a crossword puzzle on the go.  
 
In 1979, they moved to Calgary. Mary was so happy to be off the farm. They lived in Calgary until 1991, when Rick retired and they moved to Lac La Nonne to be closer to their daughter and her family. Mary settled into life at the lake and, as usual, made many lifelong friends, often hosting card games and having bonfires at their property. She also hosted many Christmases and loved being with her family. After twenty-two years at the lake, they decided to move from the lake to Innisfail, AB. Once again, Mary and Rick made new friends and hosted gatherings often. Upon Rick's passing in 2016, Mary wanted to be closer to her family and moved into the Dana Village in Calgary, AB. Her family was worried that she wouldn't fare well without her lifelong companion, but Mary quickly made very dear friends and thoroughly enjoyed the social activities that her new community provided. She loved spending time with her new friends and was adjusting well to her new life when Covid hit. Mary was amazingly strong throughout but on the anniversary of Rick's death, it seemed to be too much. The pictures of Mary and Rick speak for themselves. They loved each other so much and even death couldn't separate them. Mary loved Rick until the day she died and although we are all heartbroken, we take comfort that they can now share a double bed, spooning together for eternity. 
 
Mary is survived by her son Brian, daughter and son-in-law, Kimberley and Ken Mayhew; grandchildren, Clinton (Kiera) Sampson, Damian Desrochers, Danielle (Layne) Mayhew and Holly (Devon) Jobagy; and great-grandchildren, Megan, Kayla, Amy, Kristan, Amelia, Sawyer and Chance. She is also survived by her sister Anne (Mike) Solomki and family.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Mary’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If desired, memorial donations in Mary's honour may be made to STARS Air Ambulance, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 or at https://foundation.stars.ca/AB-tributegift.

In living memory of Mary Desrochers, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.