Mary ADDISON

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ADDISON: It is with great sadness that the family of Mary (Millie) Janette Addison (nee Lumsden), dear mother of Paul and Sean, and loyal caretaker and friend to her beloved dogs, Sparky and Kola announce her passing on April 01st, 2011 at the age of 72 at the Souris Health Centre. Mary was born September 14th, 1939 in Minnedosa and was a wonderful painter, artist, reader, traveler, and genuine animal rights advocate. She was a supporter of the wild feral horses of Suffield, Ab and Bill C-544. Mary had many wonderful memories with her pony (teddy) roaming across the Clanwilliam prairies in her youth and got into all sorts of mischief at a very early age with her childhood / lifelong close friend Jean. It was in Brandon, Manitoba, that she married and raised her two sons with John and kept busy with her horses and antique picking business. Many antiques acquired from numerous auctions throughout rural Manitoba were purchased from an antique dealer in Calgary, Alberta and appeared on movie sets, including Buffalo Bill in 1976. Mary’s creative and artist talent grew immensely while in Dawson City, Yt in the 1980’s where she was an integral part of the artisan’s community. She assisted in managing the local art gallery and put her fierce love of reading to use while operating the public library. Living in the Berton House was a highlight that Mary spoke of often as she had the opportunity to meet Pierre Berton and give him a tour of his childhood home. Many of Mary’s fondest memories are from these times in Dawson and her special interests with the frontier history. Her summer cooking for a gold mining crew was interesting and she always had time for a tia maria with her kindred spirit, Wanda. Mary’s entrepreneur spirit led her to Okotoks, Alberta in the early 1990’s, where she owned and operated a pet grooming studio. She was happy to work with and take care of all animals and could always be found volunteering at the local veterinary clinic and spending time with the pets waiting for adoption. Spending quality time with her parents Amy and Max in Lethbridge, Alberta was very important to Mary and she enjoyed her summer visits with her Granddaughter Melissa Amy. Her family and friends could always be assured of strong coffee, conversation and her critiquing of the latest local and world events. Mary had the opportunity to spend several years on Vancouver Island with Paul and most recently, in Souris with Sean. She and her loyal companion Sparky could always be found enjoying a walk down by the swinging bridge or having a visit at the tea house. Mary is predeceased by her father William (Max) and survived by her loving mother Amy, sons Paul (Geri) and Sean (Sharon), granddaughter Melissa, one sister and three brothers, many nieces, nephews and close friends. Her sister Sheila (John) Heide, Jason, Victoria, Jacob, Lisa, Mike, Robert, Hayden, Jenna, Martin, Heide and Myla. Brother Keith (Linda), Rick, Sherry, Gille, Lori, Joselyn and Taylor. Brother Bill (Barb) and Scott. Brother Robert (Heather), Matthew and Ian. Mary will also be missed and mourned immensely by her childhood and lifelong friend Jean Gugin (Wilf) of Winnipeg and her longtime friend Wanda Lee Roe of Dawson City. Sean, Paul and all the family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr.Stone and the entire nursing staff at the Souris Health Centre whose genuine care and compassion is sincerely appreciated. Thank you also to Laura McDougald-Williams for your kindness and guidance. A memorial bench will be dedicated to Mary at Victoria Park in Souris this summer and a celebration to follow in Fernie, B.C. If friends so desire donations in memory of Mary may be made to your local SPCA Expressions of sympathy may be made at memoryofmaryjaddison@hotmail.ca

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 09, 2011