MARY DUVAL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY DUVAL Peacefully, with family by her side, Mary passed away on May 21, 2007 at Concordia Hospital. She leaves to mourn her sons, Larry (Susan), Brian (Connie) and daughter Maureen Cox (Gord); grandsons, Michael Duval (Anne-Marie), David Duval (Melissa), Donald Duval, Gregory Cox, Kevin Cox and Bradley Cox (Alexis) and great-granddaughters, Julia Duval and Madeline Duval. Predeceased by husband Clifford in 1985; parents, Remi and Irma Claeys; infant sons, Dennis and Joseph; sister Alida; brothers, Robert, Jules and Remi. Mary is survived by sisters, Elsie Gorewich (Roy), Jeannette Shott (Ralph); sisters-in-law, Diane Claeys, Grace Claeys; extended family Troy Reinhardt (Cindy), Angie St. Germain (Kerry), Scott Bermon (Cathy), Alison Winsor (Brian); great-grandchildren, Liam, Taylor, Maeve, Rowan, Sam and Sarah, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was born in Springfield Municipality on January 23, 1922. She was raised on the Claeys family dairy farm (Suthwyn Dairy), on the eastern edge of Transcona. In 1941 Mary married Clifford of Morrisburg, Ontario. In the early 1940s, shortly after the birth of their first son, Clifford and Mary took over the farm and operated it until 1960 when the cattle were sold. Mary continued to reside on the farm site until 2001, at which time she moved to St. Michael's Villa in Transcona. In May, 2007 she moved to Park Manor Personal Care Home. Mary was actively involved with Meals on Wheels for more than 25 years, receiving recognition for her service in this program. She was an active member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish and a longtime member of the Catholic Woman's League. She travelled extensively in her later years, having visited Fiji, Hawaii, Australia, a boat cruise to Alaska and other destinations including several visits with relatives in Belgium. She enjoyed socializing, especially playing cards with her friends at St. Michael's Villa and with relatives, often taking a deck of cards with her on her travels. Mary also enjoyed gardening, taking great pride in the many flowers surrounding her home, as well as vegetables in her garden. Mary had a wonderful, dry sense of humour allowing a unique way of expressing her point of view while endearing her to everyone she knew. She was especially blessed with determination. Despite being stricken with Polio as a young child, Mary lived a full life as wife and mother on a hardworking dairy farm. Her strength and resolve prevailed in to her later years and her can-do attitude was constantly evident. Viewing will be 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 24 at the Transcona Funeral Chapel, 1800 Day St. Service will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Parish, 710 Roanoke St. on Friday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Michael Duval, Donald Duval, Kevin Cox, Bradley Cox, Wilfred Taillieu and Roger Taillieu. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Mary to the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation. Transcona Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2007