Mary Louise Sargent

Mary Louise was predeceased by her parents Jules Monteyne and Marie (Decoene) Monteyne, both immigrants from Belgium, husband Colin Monroe Sargent, daughter Colette Sargent, and siblings Martha Finney, Elza Morley, Cyril Monteyne, Irene Bandusiak, George Monteyne and infant Octave Monteyne.

Mary is survived by her brother Joseph Monteyne, sister-in-law Natalia, her children Christopher Sargent, Benjamin (Kelly) Sargent, and Orrice (Edward) Harron, grandchildren Colin Sargent, Cassandra (Jason) Tucker, Stephan Sargent, Aidan Harron and Carlin Harron, and great grandchildren Jayden, Lucas and Mackenzie and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Mary was born August 10, 1926 in Ste Amelie, Manitoba. She spent her early years going to school and working on the family farm. Life wasn’t easy, especially after her baby brother and father's deaths and a move to Ste Rose Du Lac where she became her mom's helpmate as her older siblings went to work. Times were hard. She left school early, worked at a store, then in the hospital kitchen. Later, Mary obtained her certificate from the first practical nursing program at Ste Rose Hospital and nursed for a time there, Ontario and then in Hazelton, BC where she met and married Colin Sargent. They lived for a while in Salmon Arm, Vancouver and Quesnel, before returning to Hazelton where they raised their 4 kids. Summer train trips with the children to visit the family in Ste Rose, brought home much produce to process. Mom took up a position as Postmistress in 1967, to support her young family. Mom was always busy, at work or at maintaining her home and garden. She was lovingly referred to as “The Hammer” for her strict discipline of the children who were not always easy on her. She moved to Radium with the post office in 1980, although it was hard to leave her friends. After receiving her 25-year service pin, she retired to Vernon, BC to be closer to family.

Retirement brought traveling to the UK and Australia with her daughter Colette, and Portugal with daughter Orrice, huckleberry picking with son Ben, social dinners with family and many local adventures including numerous garage sales and games with good friends Maureen, Rose, Erma, Ruby, Judy and Isabel. Mom found purpose in volunteering extensively; making sandwiches and serving at the Shubert senior center, 20 years at the Pro-life Thrift store, making homemade soup for the shelter and picking fruit for charity well into her 80’s. She was also a driver for her friends that didn’t drive. Mom never sat still... house (annual spring cleaning), garden, yard (even shoveling snow), friends and family visits and Church, kept her active until the day of her stroke which left her blind. Her final years were hard on her. But she gave a little bit of herself to so many of her caregivers in the care homes she lived in. She will be missed. Rest in peace Mom, you deserve it.

We would like to thank Dr. Hoppe and the Cottonwoods team for their unending care and attention in her final months. Thanks to Mary from CNIB for her visits which brightened mom's weeks and for her special bond with care aid Kelsey from Glenwood homes. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Sargent family. To view the service livestream please use this link https://distantlink.com/DignityBC.html