Mary Balfour

     Mary (May) Carnegie Balfour was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1925 and grew up in Falkirk, a short distance away.  There, she eventually married John Syme and together with their baby son David, immigrated to Canada in August of 1949. They settled in Toronto, Ontario and proceeded to have five more, wonderful sons. The family moved to Lethbridge in 1967 when John was transferred by Molson Breweries.

John passed away in 1984 and six years later, May met and married her second husband, Dr. Sig Balfour.  May and Sig spent twenty wonderful years together until Sig passed away in December of 2010.  May thoroughly enjoyed her new extended family and was warmly accepted by the Balfour clan.

May was always active in her community, from working at Woodward’s to leading CGIT for years at McKillop United Church.  She loved to golf and play bridge, and she was an active member of two coffee groups that met weekly, one of them since 1968, and the other at Macdonald’s that has been getting together for at least sixteen years. 

May was always extremely proud of her family and would brag to anyone and everyone about her six boys.  As the years progressed and her family grew, she was equally proud of her eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

May is survived by two sisters, Betty and Grace, and one brother Alex, all in Ontario, along with many nieces and nephews there.  She also leaves behind her loving children: David (Louise) Syme, Bill (Trish) Syme, Jack (Karen)Syme, Gordon (Marcie) Syme, Stephen Syme, Russell (Ally) Syme, David (Mary) Balfour, Susan Hughes, John (Shelley) Balfour.

At May’s request, there will not be a funeral.

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