Mary Friesen

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MARY FRIESEN
(NEE FAST)
May 21, 1951-Mar. 25, 2017

With our hearts broken, we announce the passing of an amazing woman…Wife, Mother, Nana, Daughter, Sister, Auntie and Friend.

Mary, or Mama Mary as she was sometimes known, was loved by so many. She was someone who was always prim and proper and ‘put together’. She was always quick to give a smile and make someone laugh. She was everyone’s emergency contact, her phone was never too far away. If someone needed help, she would be ready to drop everything to lend a hand. She was gifted with organization and details which you would have seen in her home and as Henry’s secretary. The way she browsed her iPad or organized crumbs on the dining room table, it was always consistent with who she was.

Mary loved the quietness of being home alone with Dad, but she also loved being the spotlight among close friends like with the supper club, at the Hillside office, dances and hanging out with her siblings. She was always up for an ice cream treat, and time sensitive drop-ins. Some of the things Mary enjoyed were having her family over for Sunday brunch, Costco runs, camping, stoking the campfire while not allowing anyone else near 10 feet of it, reading blogs, two-stepping with her man, sewing baby blankets and patching jeans for her family, putting together puzzles, reading up on the latest news, pedicures and manicures, and cruising airport concourses on her short little legs. Mary loved to travel and got to experience many amazing trips. Whether it was just with Henry, her kids, grandkids or the Hillside team – she loved it all.

As a mother, Mary was concerned and protective. And as a nana, even more so. She loved to play little games with her grandbabies like ‘mousie around the housie’ and ‘little piggy’. Every Christmas she would purchase pajamas for all the grandkids, matching them as much as possible. A common dessert at a family gathering would be dilly bars with the grandkids. She loved when the kids would put on a play or a song and would genuinely cheer them on. Safety was always first for Mom when it came to her kids and the grandkids - whether that was with a campfire, backseat driving, dirt-biking, trampolines, etc.

At the age of 16, Mary met the man of her dreams in Fisher Branch while visiting a cousin. While they were swinging at the school park, Mary offered Henry a stick of Juicy Fruit gum. As Henry’s wife, she was a delicate, supportive leader through 44 years of marriage. Henry’s proud to say that every year he had with Mary was a gift. He looked forward to every day that he returned home to the love of his life.

In 1985, Hillside Construction was established where Mary was the secretary for many years and was always an important part of the company. As much as she loved being a part of Hillside, she really enjoyed her retirement years as they gave her so much more time with her family, grandkids and friends.

In July 2016, Mary was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. This rocked her world. There was very little reason to be optimistic at the time, and yet she, with the support of her family, decided to fight this disgusting prognosis together. She underwent doctors’ recommendations of brain surgery and six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. After little to no progress, she pursued alternative treatments with varied success. Because of the nature of her battle, her family decided to provide her with care at home. This was done primarily through the hands of her husband Henry and her sister Agnes as well as countless hours from Tam, Steph and Trish, and the sacrifices that their families made for Nana’s well-being. As debilitating as it was for the family, the investment of time was well worth it. It was an honour to care for such a special lady. Due to complications from the various harsh treatments, her body slowly became overwhelmed and lost the strength to battle. Even through her weakest moments we could see her strength, faith and sense of humour. On Saturday, Mar. 25, 2017 Mary passed away peacefully with her family by her side, cheering her on.

At the age of 17, Mary very sincerely accepted Jesus as her Saviour and was baptized on July 6, 1969 at the Morris Fellowship Chapel. One of Mary’s favourite verses was also her mom’s, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 She clung to her hope and trust in Jesus through the shock of her diagnosis.

Mary was born on May 21, 1951 in Mexico and a few years later settled down in her childhood home in Riverside.

She is survived by the love of her life, her ‘hon’, Henry Friesen, of 44 years, two daughters, one son, and 10 precious grandbabies: Tamara and Michael Klassen, Raena and Kyra; Travis and Stephanie, Skyler, Seven, Zane, Lincoln, Walker and Kingston; and Tricia and Rene Ross, Boston and Locklyn; her sisters and brothers: Eleanor and Ben Thiessen, Agnes and Bernie Martens, John and Yolanda, Del and Cindy, Linda and Herman Peters, Rose and Gerry Friesen, Lori and Steve Plett and Hank and Sandra.

Mary was predeceased by her parents Anton and Helen Fast, and one niece, Teresa Thiessen.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Mar. 30, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Southland Church, 190 Hwy 52 W, Steinbach, MB, with the interment at Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach. Viewing will be held prior to the service.

Flowers are gratefully declined, but donations in memory of Mary may be made to Children’s Camps International.

As published in The Carillon on Mar 29, 2017