MRS. MARIA ""MARY"" LOXTON nee Knelsen of Coalhurst, beloved wife of the late Mr. Ernie Loxton, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the age of 76 years.

Mary was born in McMahon, Saskatchewan, east of Wymark, on December 4, 1932. She grew up west of Blumenhoff and lived in several communities in Saskatchewan, including Abbey and Swift Current. Mary married Isbrand ""Ozzie"" Braun on May 26, 1950. She later married Ernest ""Ernie"" Loxton on March 25, 1967 and eventually they settled in Coalhurst.

Mary worked as a waitress, in housekeeping and as a store clerk. She also owned a variety of businesses, including; drycleaning, a snackbar, selling Tupperware, and horse showing. She loved to read, paint, make apple roses, and crochet. She was a photographer and musician, playing the guitar, keyboard, and accordion. She enjoyed using the computer, and writing short stories and poetry.

Mary is survived by her daughters; JoAnne (Pat) Wilson and Melinda Loxton, her grandchildren; Loralee (Charles) Hanna, Kevin (Erin) Stinson, and Scott (Elizabeth) Soltys, and her great-grandchildren; Liam and Sophia Hanna. She also leaves her brothers and sisters; Helen Penner, Kae (Wayne) Henley, and Annie Sherbrooke, along with her sister-in-law Eleanor Knelsen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Annie Knelsen, and her brother Joe.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the COALHURST COMMUNITY CENTRE, 527 - 50th Avenue, Coalhurst, Alberta.

Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K7.