Mary Eileen Harker

Peacefully, halfway through her 101st year on February 13, 2014 after a short battle with pneumonia, Mary Harker (nee Brady) passed away in the presence of her son, William and daughter-in-law, Anne. Mary was a tower of strength to all who knew her, maintaining through much of her life, fulltime employment and volunteer jobs all the while raising a family. Mary's life began in Stoughton, Saskatchewan in 1913 where she and 4 siblings were raised by her mother after the accidental death of her father.

Mary's family moved to Regina while Mary was still a teen. Within 5 years Mary completed her education, launched her office administrator career and eloped to Moose Jaw to marry Gordon Harker whose family prior to 1925 had experienced a life similar to the Bradys in south Saskatchewan. Gordon and Mary's children (William & Gayle) were born in Regina.

At the ages of 33 and 40, Mary and Gordon moved the family to Winnipeg and Montreal respectively. In each case there were ample opportunities for Mary to demonstrate her Christian religious belief and her strong personal characteristics in the home and in the office. Both children completed post secondary education with Mary's support, financial and otherwise.

Her retirement at the age of 63 gave her the opportunity to focus on volunteer work in local hospitals and indulge her desire to see the world thanks to the travel benefits provided by her husband's employer. During the next 25 years, she lived in New Smyrna, Florida each winter and summered in Alexandria, Ontario. Her volunteer work, golf and a newly found artistic talent for china painting helped to develop friendships in both locations.

Then at the age of 89, she sold most of her possessions and followed her daughter and grandchildren to Langley, British Columbia where she maintained her interest in the church and volunteer activities as well as enjoying a loving interest in her great granddaughters as they begin their chapters in the Harker saga.

Mary's life had its share of sadness. Perhaps the most unhappy moments were associated with the death of Gordon in 1990, Gayle in 2010 and the battle for her health over the last few months; the latter helped immeasurably by the caring service of the Harrison Landing and Langley Memorial Hospital professional staff.

A funeral service will be held at St Andrews church, Langley on February 20 at 1:30 PM. No flowers please. A memorial donation may be made to your favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Langley Funeral Home, Langley, BC.