MARY CATHERINE ARKLE

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MARY CATHERINE ARKLE

(nee BRUNTON)

Peacefully passed away, surrounded by family, in East St. Paul, Manitoba on December 2, 2024.

Loving wife of Robert Arkle. Proud mother of James (Andrea), Madeline (Sam), Kateri (Akeeno), Angeline (Craig), and Blaise (Laurren). Grandmother to cherished grandchildren, Louise Kay, Rose Marie, Arthur George, and Casey Jay. Beloved daughter of the late George and late Kathleen (nee Costello) Brunton. Dear sister of Celine (Bill) Irving, Joanne, the late Gina (Gary) McIntosh, and George III.

Mary Catherine was born August 10, 1965, in London, Ontario. A middle daughter of five, Mary Catherine grew up surrounded by love. She remembered her childhood as one full of adventure, marvel, and joy. She felt fortunate to be part of a family with such strong bonds and was immensely proud of her parents and siblings.

She attended St. Peter’s Choir school and graduated from Catholic Central High School before pursuing a degree in Music Education at the University of Western Ontario. She later completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba. She was a talented musician and performer. Her passion for music and its ability to transform mind and soul led her to a career dedicated to music education in many forms. She taught piano, violin, and voice out of her home while she raised her babies. She continued teaching students of all ages at several schools, ending her career at St. Alphonsus School.

Mary described herself as a true free spirit. She was steadfast in who she was. She was quick-witted, saw humour in all situations, and tended to be sillier than you might imagine. She was uniquely intelligent and extraordinarily creative. Her family and friends will remember her for her ability to execute specific creative visions in homemade costumes, cakes, clothing, and performances. To quote Mary Catherine, “I know my life is one of operatic proportions. I am capable of assuming the role of diva in my own epic production”.

Her Catholic faith was her beacon in life, guiding her natural gifts of compassion, introspection, and connecting with others. Mary valued her numerous lifelong friendships and had a distinct ability to make connections with people in even the briefest of encounters. She was keen to hear everyone’s ‘story’ and would share hers without hesitation.

Forever a nature lover, her time in Banff, Alberta was a highlight in her life. Mary was delighted to recently discover that she could call the Bow River (1-855-BOW-LSTN) and listen in on one of her favourite places. She felt called and blessed to live and work in the mountains. Surrounded by this pristine beauty she met Bob, her loving and devoted husband of 35 years.

More than anything, Mary loved her children. She was a perfect mom to them all. She made a concerted effort to treat each of her five children as the individuals they are. She saw herself as an appreciative, engaged audience member as they starred in their own unique and wonderful lives. She loved every minute with her children and maintained that she found joy even in times that might be seen as mundane.

Mary loved plants, trees, and especially flowers. She was known to say, “Flowers are some of my favourite people”. She believed the beauty and joy of flowers should be shared. It was her expressed wish that, in lieu of sending flowers to the family, people consider sharing flowers with the ones they love.

Thank you to Dr. Szwajcer, Sherese R.N., and the wonderful care from the incredible team on D6 at Health Sciences Centre. A special thank you to Fr. Greg from St. Alphonsus Parish.

Visitors will be received at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Monday, December 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, 196 Dufferin Avenue, on Tuesday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed (link will be available at www.donohuefuneralhome.ca). Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Reception will be held following Interment at St. Michael’s Parish, 511 Cheapside St.

Donations to Playing For Change (playingforchange.org/donate/), a charity promoting peace through music that Mary was passionate about, would be appreciated. Please also consider donating blood and registering as a stem cell donor (makeallthedifference.blood.ca) to help those in need of this precious gift.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 07, 2024