MARY LING

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MARY LING Mary Lou Ling won't be shopping at Eaton's tomorrow. That was Mom's wry and gentle way of indicating that someone had departed this life, and on Sunday, July 10, at the age of 85, she joined her late husband Justin. It's fun to think she simply stepped out and hopped into his T-33 jet, which was parked just outside the Betel Home in Gimli, and off they went. She was fond of telling everyone that he had once flown that very aircraft. Mary was born in Biggar, Saskatchewan on December 7, 1925. She and Justin met at a dance in Edmonton. That Saturday night was their first and only date. The next day, after supper at her parents' house, Justin shipped off to England as an RCAF pilot. They didn't communicate for the next two years. On his return, Justin boarded a train for Edmonton, hunted down the girl he'd met, and proposed marriage on the spot. They had known each other less than eight hours. They were together for the next 62 years. In 2008, her mind sliding into the abyss that is Alzheimer's, Mary went to live at the Betel Home in Gimli. Only weeks later, his life's work done, Justin stopped shopping at Eaton's. Those who knew Mom only in her later years missed meeting the lively, vivacious, funny, profane, mischievous, and loving woman her family and long-time friends so adored. She was an avid golfer, a Manitoba champion curler, and a crisp, professional businesswoman. But she was so much more. In the first 25 years of their marriage, Mary threw herself into the calling of motherhood. She was proud that in 1961 she was named Chatelaine Magazine's Housewife of the Year. She carried the same energy into the business world when, her children grown, she and Justin launched Ling Realty Ltd. It is impossible to talk about Mary without in the same breath talking about her life-long friend, partner, and husband, Justin. The two were quite literally inseparable - golfing together, curling together, raising a family, running a business, bickering, laughing, mercilessly teasing one another, travelling side-by-side through a rich and textured life; two halves of a beautiful whole. Mary is survived by five of her loving children: Denise Wheeler (Robert), Kathryn Naud (Claude), Barbara Kelman (Craig), Nils (Joyce), and Andrea Campbell. Our brother Jay (Margaret) was taken from us in 2008. There are too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to list here, but they all know she adored and delighted in them. In her last years, Mary was given the loving care she so richly deserved by her daughter Andrea, who had moved back to Gimli. Barbara, too, pitched in with enthusiasm, and the whole family is grateful to them for their efforts. Our thanks to Dr. Gera and the staff at Johnson Memorial Hospital and Betel Home Foundation in Gimli. Special thanks to Elsie Coldwell and Angie Husluk for their special care of mom over her years in Betel. We are relieved that Mom can finally join Dad, while saddened by her passing. But mostly, we are grateful to have had such an inspiring and wonderful presence in our lives. Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, do something loving for someone special to you. That was how Mary lived and why she was loved so deeply by all whose lives she touched and changed. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2011