MARY ELLEN MORRISON

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MARY ELLEN MORRISON Mary Ellen Morrison passed away peacefully on November 19, 2003 at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 83 years. Mary is survived by her loving family, daughter Maureen; her son-in-law Greg Merner; and her grandchildren, Michael and Lianna Merner. Also left to mourn her passing are her brother and sister-in-law, David and Bridie Lyons in Manchester, England; and their children, Maureen (Colm), Angela (Danny), David (Julie), Brendan (Gill), Imelda (Malcolm), and their children; and her nephew Eugene and his son in Ireland. On her husband Ians side she is survived by her sisters-in-law, Marjorie Austin, Grace Levenick, Patricia Olson, Olga Morrison; her brother-in-law Lloyd Morrison; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husband Ian and son Norman and her sister Sara Freeley in Ireland. Mary was born on August 26, 1920, to Owen and Delia Lyons in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Ireland. She left home at the age of 18 to train as a nurse at Farnham County Hospital in Surrey, England. While in training Mary met Ian who was with the Canadian Army stationed at Camp Borden, and they married in 1942. After the war Mary came to Canada to join Ian and they settled in Winnipeg where they raised their family. Marys profession was extremely important to her and she was a dedicated and caring nurse. She worked at the Winnipeg General when she first came to Canada and then for many years at Deer Lodge, as well as hospitals in Montreal, where she and Ian lived for nine years. Even after retirement Mary liked to keep up with medical and nursing information and she was a great resource for her friends and family when they needed this type of advise. Mary and Ian loved to travel and they made several trips overseas, particularly to England and Ireland to visit family and friends. She was very proud of her heritage and maintained a strong interest in all things Irish. She enjoyed vacationing at the cottage at Lake Metigoshe and all the gatherings with the Morrison "clan". After retirement she was involved with activities such as volunteering for the Arthritic Society and she enjoyed keeping active by daily walks and also attended aerobics classes with the Central Fitness Association. Mary also loved to attend the theatre as well as the symphony. Mary made friends wherever she went and maintained these friendships over the years. She was a fervent practitioner of the old-fashioned art of letter writing and her extensive Christmas card list is a testament to this. Mary was lots of fun to be with as she had a very positive outlook on life and a great sense of humour. Mary was a wonderful mother who was always there for her son Norman and daughter Maureen. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she was very much a part of their lives. "Gran" was a very loving grandmother and interested in all of Michael and Liannas activities and pursuits. Mary was also very much a part of the Merner extended family and was welcomed to all the family gatherings. Special thanks to all Marys friends and relatives for their support during these past few weeks. The family would particularly like to thank Marys special friend Cyndy Klinkheimer for her friendship and support to Mary over many years and especially during these last few weeks. Also, we would like to thank Marys niece Marie Engel for coming to our assistance in this time of need and for being with Mary in the hospital, and to niece Cheryl for her support and assistance. Many thanks also to all the wonderful staff on B5 at St. Boniface Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care of Mary. Marys Catholic faith was very important to her and she enjoyed being a parishioner at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave., where funeral mass in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 22, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations to CancerCare Manitoba or the ALS Society of Manitoba would be gratefully appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 21, 2003