Mary Atkinson

 It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Catherine Atkinson announces her death on July 6, 2019, in Lethbridge at the age of 79 years.

Mary was born in Lethbridge on October 4, 1939 and was raised by Ruby and William Lester on a farm in Foremost until moving to the city with her mom and sisters at the age of 15.  She attended LCI and Garbutt’s Business College and went on to become a sought-after bank teller at RBC and then CIBC.

She married Ken Atkinson in 1966 and cultivated a life with him in Lethbridge, then Port Coquitlam and finally Nelson until after Ken’s passing in 2000.  Mary’s heart was “in the mountains” but her need to be closer to family meant she moved to Lethbridge in 2006.  She lived an independent life in River Ridge and then Martha’s House.  In her last few months Mary moved to Good Samaritan where she relished the caring community of the staff and residents there.

She cultivated relationships with others including long-time friends, St. Augustine’s Evening Group and Home Groups, each providing connection and joy.  Volunteering at the Seniors Centre included bingos and the Boutique.  Through her life with a CPR employee, Mary developed an enthusiasm for trains and was a member of the Great Canadian Train Society.

Mary had a variety of interests.  She loved cross stitching, crocheting, listening to country music, travelling, fishing with Ken, watching the Maple Leafs—hoping they would win, and gardening in Nelson.  Mary survived playing Scattergories and Scrabble with family often convincing the family of her creative, “new” words.  She enjoyed shopping with her dear friend, Clara.  She adored her cat, Molly.  Mary was a collector—of lady bells, spoons, angels, china and blue mountain pottery.  She sought out antique stores where she was often delighted with her find.

She is missed by her family including sisters, Phyllis Cameron and Eleanor Lester, nieces—Robyn (Scott) Henderson, Susan (Dale) Mehlen and Kelly (Neil) McCullagh.  She is blessed by 5 great nephews (Jack, Spencer, Ryan, Ronan and Easton) and 1 great niece (Aisling).

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at ST. AUGUSTINES ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 11 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend Steve Bateman, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Augustine’s Memorial Fund, 411 11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2N9, or the Good Samaritan Society, 1511 15 Ave N, Lethbridge, AB T1H 1W2.

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