Mary Elizabeth Small

Mary was born on August 1, 1944 in Vancouver, BC as the only child of James William and Mary Beatrice Kenyon (nee Haworth). Mary grew up in the Kenyon family home in Burnaby, where she was surrounded by extended family and worked for many years in their family business, a floral greenhouse operation just up the hill from beautiful Deer Lake.

After graduating from Burnaby Central High School in 1961, Mary went on to the University of BC in the Sciences Program before a career change led her into accounting, a vocation she continued for the remainder of her working life.

In the mid 1960’s Mary met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) at a Catholic Youth Bowling League. After a lengthy courtship, the couple was married in 1968 at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club. Their eldest son, Bill, was born a year later and three years after that the couple welcomed their second son, Michael, in 1972.

By that time Mary and Bob had moved into their forever home in the Annieville area of North Delta, where they raised their family, became active in local youth soccer and where they both remained for the rest of their lives.

After dedicating a decade of her life to raising her sons, Mary returned to work in 1979 at the newly opened Surrey Taxation Centre where she held several positions that capitalized on her keen accounting skills. After more than 35 years with the Canada Revenue Agency, Mary retired in 2015 in the hopes of enjoying a more relaxing life where she could spend quality time with her family.

An avid crafter, Mary was forever working on crotchet, cross-stitch and knitting projects for family and friends. She leaves a legacy of sick blankets, wall tapestries and beautiful personalized Christmas stockings for her family.

Family was the thing Mary held dearest. While often quiet and reserved, she would always share with anyone who would listen the various exploits of her children and grandchildren. There was a seemingly endless parade of Mary’s coworkers, friends and neighbours who knew everything about her sons’ and grandsons’ lives and accomplishments!

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Bob, in 2003, and by her parents, Bill in 1989 and Bea in 1995. Remaining to cherish her memory are her sons, Bill (Dianne) and Michael (Sarah) and her two grandsons, Aiden and Keegan, along with extended family and friends.

A funeral service for Mary will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:00am at First Memorial Funeral Services, Fraser Heights Chapel, 14835 Fraser Highway, Surrey, with Reverend Wendy Yacboski officiating. A reception will follow from 11:00 am. The interment will be at the North Delta Cemetery at 1PM, 8757 Brooke Rd, Delta.

Mary was a cancer survivor, and it continued to touch the lives of her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Mary’s memory may be directed to the BC Cancer Foundation.