MARY J. LOEWEN

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MARY J. LOEWEN On Saturday, September 14, 2002, Mary Johanna passed away at the Donwood Personal Care Home at 96 years of age. Before entering Donwood, Mary resided at Bethel Place for many years. Mary was born in Winkler on December 13, 1905, to Jacob J. and Anna Loewen. She was predeceased by her siblings, Henry, Jake, Sue, John and Ed. She will be missed by her family of nephews and nieces and their families, Bob and Doreen Loewen, Glen and Mern Loewen, Loreen and Percy Enns, Jeanette and George Huber, Allan Loewen and Ava Friesen, as well as many people from her church family at Home Street Mennonite Church. During her lifetime Mary made many friends in Manitoba, across Canada and the United States and in other parts of the world. People will remember her as a unique person, always willing to help others and share her Christian faith with anyone in need. She believed in exercising her mind and her body, and kept doing so until well into her 90s. She put the needs of others before her own and took care of family members for many years, in particular her brother, John, who became blind at the age of 13. Only after he passed away did she indulge in her love of travel, making trips to India, Japan, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, England and the Holy Land. Mary attended Winnipeg Normal School and entered the teaching profession after graduating in 1924. She had many adventures teaching in a one-room school house. She loved to tell the story of having the school house burn down during classes due to an overheated stove. Fortunately no one was hurt. She drove a car in the 1920s and had thoughts of learning to fly an airplane because her brother Henry was pilot. Mary taught school in rural Manitoba, including Steinbach and retired from Principal Sparling School in Winnipeg. During her life Mary continued with her education. She completed her B.A. in 1936 and a Bachelor of Education in 1969. As well, she studied in Chicago at the Bethany Biblical Seminar and received a Master of Religious Education certificate in 1952. In 1946, after the war, Mary travelled to Europe to help the many refugees in Greece and Italy for the Italy Relief Unit in Bari. She kept in touch with fellow workers throughout her lifetime. The family would like to thank the many caring staff members on the second floor of Donwood Manor for taking such good care of our Aunt during her years there. Also special thanks to the many visitors, especially Mary Wolfe and Annie Janzen, and others like Clara Dyck and Dorothy Friesen who were not always able to visit, but kept in touch with cards and letters. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to M.C.C., 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9. Services for Mary will be held at the Home Street Mennonite Church, 318 Home St., on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow. Viewing will be at the church prior to the service. Interment will be at the Winkler Cemetery in the family plot at 3:30 p.m. Your gentle hands are lying still The eyes that smiled are dim The Father of the loving soul Has called you home to Him. Those of us who must remain Wish we need not part But for comfort we remember Your loving, giving heart. Step lightly to the gates of heaven And leave the world of care Run into the Fathers arms And find a welcome there. The sad goodbyes have all been said As you join the joyful band Trusting now, we leave you Within Gods gracious hand. Arrangements entrusted to Klassen Funeral Chapel, 338-0331.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2002