Mary Beatrice Hlady (nee Plowman) peacefully in the early hours of Friday morning went to join her husband, Henry and daughter, Lynda Gregory and son-in-law, Wally Gregory.
Her earthly presence will be missed by her son, Ronald (Jayne) of Calgary, daughter, Judith Grierson (Duncan), niece, Leanne McDougald (Eldon).
She will be fondly remembered by her granddaughters, Terry Yurett (Gord), Tanis Chodak, Marlo Yasinski of Calgary, grandson Robert (Natsuko) in Japan and grandson, Joseph (Cherine) of Calgary, step granddaughters Hayley Gregory, Michelle Gregory, Rhonda Guertzner (Olli) of Brandon and Karla Grierson in France. She also leaves behind six great grandchildren – Jennifer, Everett, Lucy and Wyatt as well as step grandchildren – Minami, Misaki, Jessie, Alicia and Olivia. Mary stayed close to her many nieces and nephew from the Plowman side of the family as well as the many cousins on the Hlady side. Her long life saw many of her friends join her welcoming party but she will be missed by many that remain.
Born in 1919 on a farm in the Douglas, MB area to Eliza and Charles Salethiel Plowman, the fifth of twelve children, she is survived by brother, Albert Plowman of Brandon.
Mary worked as what was then called a stenographer when working outside the home was not as common as it is today. She spent a lot of those years at the Assiniboine and then the General Hospitals all the while keeping her commitments to the community; volunteering at the West End Community Centre and being active with the Foresters.
After retirement she tried many different actives including the Barbershop Belles, painting, quilting but her passion was writing. She wrote poetry and short stories and self-published four booklets. After Henry’s retirement they spent many winters following the trap shooting cuircuit in Arizona. That is where she learned to bake bread in a toaster oven and talent she maintained when they moved to River Heights Terrace.
Those that knew Mary were always struck by her desire to walk in another’s shoes and to keep smiling. She maintained that a stiff upper lip doesn’t mean to hide your feelings but to find the strength within yourself to carry on. Mary sang harmony in life’s choir.
The Ceremony to Celebrate Mary's life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. Rev. Barbara Jardine will officiate.
Mary’s family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at Fairview Nursing home for their loving care and friendship that allowed Mary to have a productive and meaningful life after she was unable to live on her own.
Donations in memory of Mary may be made to Westman Dreams for Kids, Unit 4-940 Princess Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 0P6.