MARY-ANN E. MAURICE (BARRIE)

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MARY-ANN E. MAURICE (nee BARRIE) April 25, 1952 - March 10, 2011 After a valiant five year battle with cancer, Mary-Ann surrendered and died quietly with her sister beside her. Left to mourn are her mother, Reta Barrie; her sister, Janice Yon; her nephew and his wife, Rene-Michel and Amanda Yon; her dear friend, Len Foster; her aunts and uncles: John Barrie, Bill Barrie, Helen and Clarence Barrie, Kathleen Grigg, Margaret and Doug MacTavish, and Shirley MacTavish; many cousins and lots of good friends. Mary-Ann was born in Smith's Falls, Ontario. She grew up in a military family moving from base to base. As a young woman she joined her sister, who was teaching in Manitoba, and Winnipeg has been her home ever since. Mary-Ann's work experience has been varied, from sales and accounting, to technical illustrator. She worked at Eaton's, Micro-mart, The Bay National Stores, and finally found her perfect niche at Standard Aero Publications. She enjoyed a variety of activities from bowling and ballroom dancing, to playing cards and gardening. But her greatest and most enduring joy was singing. She sang in a number of choirs over the years: Voices West, For Pete's Sake Singers, Spirit's Call, Assiniboine Chorus, Abha, and Community Singers. Whether celebrating special occasions, playing a game of Scrabble with her mom, or just hanging out together, she enjoyed being with her family. Mary-Ann loved animals, especially her dog, Jojo, who was her constant companion and a source of amusement during these last years. While she had no children of her own, she played an important role in her nephew's life, even living with her sister and nephew when he was little. She continued to be an important person in his life into adulthood, and was thrilled to add a niece to her family when he married Amanda. She also sponsored a little girl through World Vision and took great joy watching her grow and following her life. Mary-Ann never missed a chance to send something special. Mary-Ann really cared about people. She was generous, loyal, and truly interested in the lives of her friends and family. In these last years Mary-Ann's strength, courage, and positive outlook had a way of letting you forget what she was suffering and just enjoy the time spent with her. Her ready smile and quirky sense of humour will be missed by all who knew her. Thank You to Dr. Wong (CancerCare St. Boniface Hospital) who guided and supported Mary-Ann throughout this experience. Thank you for bringing in surgeons and specialists as she needed them, and for respecting her and treating her as a whole person. Thanks also to the other caring and skilled doctors who have treated Mary-Ann. Thank you to all the wonderful nurses at St. Boniface CancerCare, and in the palliative home care support system. Thanks also to the nursing and support care workers at Riverview Health Centre's Palliative Care Ward, where Mary-Ann was kept comfortable and pain free in her last days. You were all a blessing. An evening of Music and Memories to celebrate Mary-Ann's life will be held at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, March 30 at Morrow Gospel Church, 755 St. Anne's Rd., St. Vital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Mary-Ann's memory to: CancerCare Manitoba, World Vision, Winnipeg Humane Society, or Riverview Foundation Palliative Care.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2011