MARY JOHNER CHILD

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MARY JOHNER CHILD August 13, 1911- March 3, 2011 Peacefully, and with dignity, Mary Johner Child passed away at the Grace Hospital. Mary Agnes Metashanko was born August 13, 1911 on a farm three and one half miles from Durban, MB, where she attended school by horse-drawn school van. On October 9, 1929 she married Jarl Nathanial Johner. They lived at Percival, SK on a farm for seven years and then moved to Durban to open a restaurant and butcher shop. In 1948 Jarl and Mary joined the Swan River Washakada chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. They raised four children, Pearl, Milton, Jarl and Ella Mae. Pearl passed away May 6, 1951 and husband Jarl in April 1953. Mary continued to operate Johner's Store , the general store that had been converted from the restaurant. When all the children were on their own Mary moved to Swan River where she worked for Fred Sigurdson at the Red and White store for five years. On October 18, 1961 she married Allen Child. Mary worked part time for Valley Florists for 12 years. She loved her flowers. When Allen passed away in 1979, Mary remained in the same house at Swan River until 2002. She had a lovely garden and shared her cranberries, raspberries and rhubarb with all her friends. One third of her large garden was flowers, many perennials and annuals. At age 91, she moved to Winnipeg to the Eastern Star Chalet. She was still a member of the Eastern Star Lodge and last year received her 60 year pin. At the Chalet Mary continued to grow window boxes full of flowers and one productive tomato plant each year. She also worked as a volunteer on Fridays in the kitchen at the Chalet. Mary made many new friends and enjoyed her stay there until her death. She leaves to mourn two sons, Milton Johner (Evelyn) of Yarrow, BC, Jarl Johner (Shirley) of Headingly, MB, and one daughter, Ella Mae Stone (Garth) in Winnipeg, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, nephews and niece through marriage, Tony Child from Swan River, Geoffrey Child from Winnipeg and Helen Barker (Child) from Swan River. During the 1970s Mary loved traveling. She made a trip to Hawaii and to Alaska, two trips to the Maritimes and Mexico and took a cruise down the St. Lawrence to New York. Mary sang in the choir at the Durban United Church and was also a member of the Swan River United Church for many years. She enjoyed doing ceramics and was an ardent bowler (5 pin). She was secretary of the Golden Age Bowlers League for 10 years, then became president. She was also secretary for the Swan River Senior Centre and helped to take gate tickets at the Swan River Rodeo. Mary was secretary for the Order Of Eastern Star, Washakada Chapter for five years. She was a Past Matron and had been a Grand Representative. Mom was admired by family and friends for her humour, friendship and sense of independence. The family wishes to thank the staff on the fourth floor at the Grace Hospital for their kindness and TLC. A celebration of Mom's life will be held at a later date and interment will take place at the Durban cemetery. Should friends desire, donations may be made to The Order of The Eastern Star, 525 Cathcart Street, Winnipeg, MB R3R 0S6 or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 09, 2011