Mrs. Mary Skeldon Dobbie Gardner

Mary’s family is very saddened to announce her peaceful passing on April 6, 2014 after a long life of good health and following a prolonged stay in hospital. Mary was born in Rosetown March 27, 1916 and raised along with her two sisters by their parents Robert and Jemima Dobbie on the farm near Gunworth. In 1939 she met and married the love of her life Gordon, and they spent 50 years together before his passing in 1989. She was a fun loving person who was always up for action of any kind and despite having raised seven active children, never lost her sense of humour. Through over 30 years of having children in school she was an island of calm in a sea of chaos. The kids would anticipate the wonderful desserts that would be ready on the kitchen counter. Even though she did all of the cooking at home, she somehow instilled that love of being in the kitchen in her family, all of whom have a love of good food, even the great grandchildren. Mary worked together with Gordon at Gardner Electric for many years before retiring, travelling down south and building a cabin at Turtle Lake. They were both active members of the Dance Club and Mom supported Dad in his many Lions Club endeavors. She participated actively in the Presbyterian Church and marched us all down the street each Sunday. She loved her involvement in the Ladies Golf club for many years, and she very much enjoyed belonging to two Bridge groups where she was often known to bid aggressively, just for fun.

Mary and Gordon travelled extensively seeing many parts of the world before it was common to do so, with memorable trips to Prague, Canary Islands, Mexico, Hawaii, and Spain. They especially enjoyed their place and the many new friends in Apache Junction where they travelled to for 20 years. After Gordon’s passing, with the help of friends and family Mary continued going south until an auto accident slowed her down.

Mary is survived by son Jim (Vera); by son Tom (Alice) and their children Richard (Laurie), Michael (Karen), Steven (Stacey); by son Bob (Bev) and their children Scott (Avril), and David; by son Charles (Carol) and their children Trevor and Brodie; by daughter Susan ( Dennis ) and their children Rebecca and Mathew; by son Dan (Michelle) and children Erica, David, Anthony, Jordan, Sean and Noah; by son-in-law Wilfred and children, Shelly (Roland) and Rob (Tracy). She is also survived by 16 great grand children. She knew each one by name and could recite every birthday. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Gordon in 1989, her two sisters Isabel and Jean, and she lost her best friend and eldest daughter Donna in 2009.

We want to make special mention of the care and compassion that Mary received in the Rosetown Hospital from Dr Ernst and the most amazing nursing staff. Thanks a million.

The family invites all who shared in her life to a celebration of life to be held in the Rosetown United Church on Friday April 11, at 11:00am with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Rosetown and District Health Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Clements Rosetown Funeral Home.