Mary Little

Mary LITTLE nee HAND, born in Carlisle, Cumbria, England on February 13, 1921, died peacefully at Elim Village in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on October 22, 2019. Mary is pre-deceased by her husband of 68 years, John in 2016 and granddaughter, Jean in July 2019. Mary was mother to three daughters and their husbands: Linda and Peter, Maureen and Gordon and Jane and Tom. Mary was also “Nana” to nine grandchildren: Jean, Christine, John, Anthony, Gregory, Meredith, Eleanora, Lydia and Simon and “Super-Nana” to 3 great-grandchildren: Dylan, Devin and David. Mary is also survived by many friends and family in Canada, England, South Africa, Australia and Iceland.

Mary lived a life full of service, first always to her family and then to her church communities in England, South Africa and to Knox United Church in Vancouver. Over the years she generously gave of her time and talent to Guiding, United Church Women, BC Grace Hospital Auxiliary, Crofton House School, Vancouver School of Theology, PEO, and many other good causes. She loved music, had a beautiful contralto voice and sang in choirs throughout her life. In her final days she was surrounded by family, friends and music.

Mary left school at the age of 12 to work in Carr’s Biscuit factory in Carlisle and then at a Spitfire aircraft factory, painting rondels on the plane’s wings during World War II. This experience must have sparked her artistic side as she quietly expressed herself in visual art at many other times in her life. Mary also lived with a quiet courage, moving far away from home to South Africa in the early days of her marriage and moving to Canada with 2 young children in tow in 1957. She met every challenge with a peace in knowing that “this too shall pass” and a very keen sense of humour.

Thank you to all our family and friends for their kindness during this difficult time. Mary Little’s Service of Remembrance will be held at Knox United Church, 5600 Balaclava Street, Vancouver BC on November 8th, 2019 at 2 pm, reception following. Mom loved the colour green, so please feel free to wear something green in her memory.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either Mothers Against Drunk Driving or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.