Mary Louise May Holmes

Mary Louise May Holmes (née Mitchell) passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Mary moved with her family to Victoria at a young age and spent the rest of her life in Victoria and Brentwood Bay.

Mary was a devoted wife to her husband, Robert, with whom she shared forty years of marriage until his passing in 2005. She carried a strong Christian faith throughout her life and found great comfort in gospel music, especially the voice of Mahalia Jackson, whose songs often filled her home.

She was talented with her hands and possessed a careful artistic eye. In her younger years, she operated her own alterations shop and was known for her skill in sewing, drawing, and creating beautiful things with patience and precision. She also loved gardening and had a particular affection for rabbits and dogs, which she kept as cherished companions over the years.

Mary took pride in maintaining an orderly and welcoming home. She was thoughtful, meticulous, and deeply shaped by the values of her generation — devotion to family, hard work, faith, and perseverance. Mary was also grateful for the companionship and kindness of friends from her church community in her later years, whose presence brought her comfort and support.

She leaves behind the memory of a life lived with consistency, care, and enduring commitment to the people and routines that mattered to her.

She is survived by her daughter, Tracey "Lana" Holmes.

She will be remembered with love, reflection, and gratitude for the life she lived.