Hebrews 6:19
… We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain …
Beautiful Mary Braun was born, January 16, 1931, in Namaka Alberta, to Anna (Stobbe) and Johann Braun. She was the first to be born of 4 children … her siblings that followed were John, Elsie (Unger), and Rudy.
Mary’s adventures began in Namaka, and then the family moved to Gem, Alberta. When she was 11 (and Rudy was only 6,) Mary’s ‘Mother’ passed away after gall bladder surgery, leaving this young farming family without a Mom. At that time, Mary became a very young mother-of-sorts, and life changed for everyone. They persevered, and managed with much help and toil through to their teenage years. Following God and learning His ways always remained foundational for this family.
When Mary’s Father remarried and moved to Vancouver, the 4 older teens moved to Vancouver as well. In Vancouver, Mary found Pacific Grace Mission, a mission church to Chinese immigrants, where she would serve for many years. She also found her husband-to-be, Dave, and they were married and started building their family in their 20’s, moving around Vancouver and Richmond. They added Milton, Stanley, Ronnie, Richard and Carey to their flock, over 9 years. In his 3rd year, they lost little Ronnie. He was born with Downes Syndrome and had constant chest infections.
After many years working at Woodward’s in Vancouver, plus building 2 spec homes, and working 2 blueberry farms, Dave moved Mary and the boys to Abbotsford in 1976. Tucked Into a cozy house on Guildford Drive, Dave and Mary committed their love and service to Central Heights Church, where Mary served until her last month of life.
Life in Abbotsford brought Mary different jobs, at Hole In One Doughnuts, and Maplewood House, where she enjoyed cooking and serving people until her paid working days came to an end. But Mary NEVER stopped cooking and serving and loving people … through losing her son, Milton, to a sudden heart attack, and losing her beloved David, to cancer. She also celebrated the marriage of all four of her remaining sons and was finally able to add: Danita, Kerri, Beverly and Elizabeth, 4 girls to her batch of Braun Boys. Interestingly, when the grandchildren were added, it was more boys!!! James, Drew, Justin, Joel, Jared, and Rylie. Thankfully, Mary has seen more added to the mix: James’ Tori, and Joel’s Rebbekah, and Beverly grafted in her Krista and Vas, Jesse, and the precious Alex and Deighton.
Mary’s love and care for people has only grown and shone out to the world as she lived out her final 15 years without Dave. She revealed a bit of a stubborn spot when she insisted on driving right up to late last fall. And worked hard to keep her body functioning beyond what many would endure.
In these last 6 weeks that we had the privilege of caring for Nana, we worked hard to fulfill her last great wish, to pass into eternity from her own bed, at home. And late in the afternoon last Friday, January 27, she did just that. As her ‘best friend’ held her hand, she slipped away, and went to Meet her Maker, that lucky gal. And as the song says, ‘she was READY.’
A memorial service for Mary will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Central Heights MB Church - Nikkel Hall, 1661 McCallum Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 3M4. A visitation and time for open sharing will occur Monday, February 6, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 2X5. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Valley View Cemetery, 14644 - 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC V2S 3M4.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com for the Braun family.
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