Mary Gertrude Haggard

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Ormand Haggard; her parents, Chris and Florence Caldwell; her sister, Amelia; her brothers, Clarence, Robert, Harry, and Jack; and her grandson, Jackson Cormack.

She is survived by her four children, Allan (Sharon), Gary (Shannon), Joanne, and Doug (Debbie); nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephew Mervyn and his wife, Ruth, who always shared a deep love for Mom.

Born in 1924 near Valparaiso, Saskatchewan, she grew up on a farm near Tisdale. After graduating, she worked briefly as a teacher.

She married the love of her life, Charlie Haggard in 1944, and they moved to Port Alberni in 1948. There, they built a home on Cherry Creek Road and raised their family.

In the mid-1950s, Charlie and Mary opened the Cherry Creek Store, which became a hub for the local community. Mary also helped plan and build the Cherry Creek Community Hall. She often said Cherry Creek was the best community in the Alberni Valley.

Work took Charlie and Mary away from Cherry Creek for a few years, but they returned to their beloved community and built a home. Mary lived there for many years before making her final move to Heritage Place.

After retiring, she and Charlie became snowbirds, spending their winters in Hemet, California. Mom often called these her Happiness Times.

Mary and Charlie also founded Haggard Cove, where Charlie handled the fishing and Mary did the cooking.

Mom loved card games, especially bridge, which she played before getting her small group. They would come to Heritage and played Hand and Foot every two weeks. She was always delighted when she won. She was a founding member of the Sunshine Club. She also played and coached softball, curled, and golfed. Among her proudest achievements were not one, but two hole-in-ones.

We would like to take this time to Thank Mervyn & Ruth and their family from Winnipeg for the Kindness they shared with Mom.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Heritage Place and West Coast General Hospital for the compassionate care they provided during her final days.

A celebration of life will be held at the Alberni Golf Club on January 16, 2027.