passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC. She was born in Rauli, Punjab, India. She is predeceased by her parents Harnam Singh Sidhu and Dhan Kaur Sidhu , her brothers Mukhtar Sidhu and Jim (Shumsher) Sidhu, and her husband of 58 years Magar Singh Dhalian.
She is survived by her husband Bernie Hawkes of Victoria, BC, children Donald (Denise), David , Jasmine (Graham), Jo-Anne and Janet (Lorne), step-son Peter Hawkes, grandsons Ricky and Timothy and great-grandchildren London and Skyler; nieces and nephews, Melanie, Krista, Jeff, Rodney, Michael, Pauline and Amber; sister-in laws Bunt Sidhu and Barbara MacDonald.
Mary arrived in Canada as an infant with her parents and was raised and schooled in Lake Cowichan and the Solarium at Mill Bay. Upon graduation she married Magar and gave birth to their five children over the following decade. In addition, during her married life Mary enjoyed a career in various secretarial and administrative positions until retiring at age 60.
In later life, Mary travelled to India and other parts of the world, first with Magar and later with Bernie. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and cheering her sons on as they played hockey and baseball. She was a steadfast Montreal Canadians fan. Family was the most important thing for Mary, and she cherished her friends in Victoria, Cowichan and in Nanaimo.
The family would like to thank Dr. Neweduk and the wonderful, caring staff at The Priory for their care and support over the past few months.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you make a donation in Mary's name to either Diabetes Canada or The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date.