MARY PATERSON

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Paterson who passed away just before 4 o’clock in the morning on September 15. Mary leaves behind her four sons, Bill, Don, Jim, and Stuart along with her two sisters Greta and Rose.

Mary was born into the Etherson family in Scotland in 1929. The third of six children she is predeceased by her three brothers: Frank, Phillip, and Robert.

Mary would often talk of her love of Scotland and how she and her husband used to go courting up in the hills around Loch Lomond, where they fell in love. Her husband, Alan Paterson, was a well-known high jumper at the time, ranked number one in the world for a period, he represented Great Britain in two Olympics and won gold in the European Games.

Mary and Alan moved to Montreal in Canada in the early 1950’s and started a family, giving birth to William, Donald, and James before moving back to Brighton England in 1961. It was in Brighton that Mary gave birth to her fourth child Stuart.

The boys have many fond memories of Mary picking them up after school and taking them down to Brighton beach to have a picnic. Mary was a very loving and supportive mother who never had a bad thing to say about anyone and never had a word of complaint no matter what the circumstances. She was a wonderful example of love and kindness.

The family moved down to Sydney Australia in 1968. They lived on the North Shore and enjoyed the beaches before returning to Canada in 1976. In Toronto Mary worked for the TD Bank for several years before taking early retirement to look after her husband who had a stroke in 1987. Her husband passed in May 1999 and Mary returned to Scotland to scatter his ashes in Loch Lomond where they fell in love.

In 2019 Mary had a bad fall and spent some time in Credit Valley Hospital where it was determined that Mary had dementia and needed 24-hour supervision. Mary moved to Winnipeg to live with her son Jim and his wife Shirley. With Jim working fulltime Shirley was the main caregiver and Mary and Shirley became very close.

Mary moved to Park Manor Care Home which provided very loving 24-hour support. In the last several weeks of her beautiful life she would often talk about the pain and wanting to see Alan again.

It was from Park Manor on September 14 where the doctor had Mary admitted to Concordia Hospital. Although the doctors and nurses provided compassionate care, Mary passed away the following morning.

Mary was deeply loved by all four of her boys and her two sisters. She was also loved and admired by the boy’s wives her grandchildren and her great grandchildren Everyone who knew the gentle and loving Mary mourn her passing. But the pain has stopped. She has moved to a better place. Mary has joined Alan, her brothers and her parents and all the friends and loved ones that have gone before.

Mary’s ashes will be taken back to Scotland and scattered in Loch Lomond.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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