‘The richest person I have ever known’

Mary Roberts measured her wealth in hugs to family, friends, parade watchers and even Rita MacNeil

By: Janine LeGal

It was Christmastime at a Transcona casino when Mary and some of her family members went to see Canadian singer Rita MacNeil. Mary was determined to meet the award-winning entertainer, so she wandered the halls of the casino and, sure as Mary’s luck would have it, there was Rita.

She was thrilled and asked, as Mary always did, if she could give her a hug. The celebrated singer agreed.

“Even a celebrity could not escape a hug from Mary,” said her daughter-in-law Deborah Roberts.

Mary Maksymczuk. Mary Maximchuk. Mary Maxim. Mary Roberts. The woman with a few different names was legendary for more than a few different reasons.

She died peacefully on Aug. 30, 2025, a few days after celebrating her 95th birthday. The diminutive woman known for her joie de vivre had a giant impact on everyone around her.

For 70 years, Mary lived in the same house in Elmwood, appreciating her neighbours and often visiting and taking walks with them. She valued her community immensely.

Born Mary Maksymczuk in Dauphin in 1930, she moved to the community of Sifton in her teens, working for an entrepreneur who sold wool and spinning wheels. When she was asked if her name could be used for the company, she readily agreed and the abbreviated Mary Maxim was created. Over 65 years later, the craft and needlework mail order company is still going strong, both in Canada and the U.S.

Mary Maxim sweaters have been worn by celebrities including Bob Hope, Angela Lansbury and the Canadian pop band Barenaked Ladies. In 2023, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada held an exhibit called The Mystery of Mary Maxim, displaying some of the company’s vintage sweaters.

“Being part of the whole Mary Maxim, she was so happy that they wanted to use her name. She was very proud of that,” said Mary’s son Richard Jr. “We took her to the Mary Maxim factory in Paris, Ont. She was able to visit and they gave her some really nice things.”

In the 1950s, Mary moved to Winnipeg, where she found her soulmate in Richard Roberts while working at the Royal Alexandra Hotel. In 1955, they were married and together had two sons, Richard Jr. and Brian.

She volunteered with Age & Opportunity, and for 30 years she visited seniors, bringing laughter and joy to their days. She was a member of the Grey Street United Church for over 50 years and a member of the United Church Women’s Organization for 25 years, where she was known to have perfected her baking skills.

Mary found her true calling when she joined the Sisters of the Holy Rock in 1993, the year the popular group was created. Inspired by the beloved Sister Act movies starring Whoopi Goldberg, members dressed in traditional black-and-white habits and mixed powerful harmonies and a good dose of humour to uplift spirits and raise funds for charitable causes.

That’s where “Sister Mary” came to life and became the hugging nun. Mary toured with the sisters for 20 years. In 2011, she went to New York with her son Richard and his wife Deborah to see the Broadway production of Sister Act.

“She hugged everybody in New York, and wore her habit on the New York City streets,” Richard Jr. said, adding that when a street person on the sidewalk called out to her, she didn’t hesitate to hug him too.

The next day they went to the Easter Parade on 5th Avenue, where she talked to everyone and no one declined her request to give them a hug.

“She was a big-time extrovert,” Richard Jr. said. “There were hundreds of people walking down the street. She went right in the parade, and asked people, ‘Can I give you a hug?’ She must have given at least 50 hugs,” he recalled, reaffirming that nobody said no to Mary’s free hugs.

“She loved to dress up and put on costumes. She loved to stand out,” added Deborah. “Everybody just took to her. She had a sparkle in her eye and would engage with you and make you feel good.”

When Mary’s husband died, she maintained her larger-than-life presence for another 26 years, telling jokes and singing whenever and wherever she could.

“We were fortunate,” said Richard Jr. “We had great parents — both were extremely supportive.”

In their old, wartime 500-square-foot-house without a basement, there was always coffee brewing, and on birthdays there’d be Richard Jr.’s favourites, peanut butter and banana bread dainties.

“I recall at Christmastime, the house was always packed,” he said, remembering the freshly made dainties, and the many visitors.

“My mom was always there, always making sure Brian and myself came first.”

Richard Jr. recalls his time in high school athletics, being trained by a coach at the University of Manitoba campus.

“My dad worked nights. Mom would take a bus from Elmwood to the university. Even the athletes would ask who she was.”

Son Brian looked after his mother in her final years and remembers her jovial nature.

“She was always positive,” he said, noting her creative and caring nature. “She was very giving and forgiving. She wasn’t judgmental.”

Mary enjoyed a lifetime of gardening, taking pictures, cooking and baking for the church, neighbours and family. Her date and matrimonial cakes were in high demand. She wanted to make sure there was food for everyone, including the outdoor creatures.

“She loved animals,” said Brian. “She’d ask, ‘Did you leave out water and carrots for the bunny rabbits?’ She was always concerned about the animals.”

Mary delighted in her two dogs, Maggie and Tootsie, and the long walks with her friends and their dogs.

“She did a lot of volunteering, a lot of helping out. She was always thinking of others. That’s where she found pleasure. Sometimes we’d go out to restaurants — she’d be getting the plates gathered up. A lot of people would remember her.”

Married to Richard Jr. and a part of the Roberts family for over 40 years, Deborah recalls feeling an instant connection with Mary.

“She was the most amazing human being,” she said. “She treated me like her daughter — she just took me in. She was the richest person I have ever known, but not in a monetary way. She was giving, never taking.

“She was so genuine, very cheerful — a social butterfly. She’d get out her habit and she would perform for us,” Deborah said, adding that she’d sing everything from choir tunes to old classics.

Every season, every milestone, every special holiday meant time with Mary.

“We’d sit at the table and chitchat and have some tea. I loved being with her.”

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca