June 1, 1914 to August 23, 2008

Our Mom was born June 1, 1914 in Lenore, Manitoba to John and Anne Clark. She passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the age of 94 after a lengthy illness in Lethbridge.

Mary, along with sisters and brothers, Isabelle, John, Alexander, Joyce, Terry and David grew up on the family farm. Mom went into nursing and earned her RN in Brandon and nursed at the Brandon psychiatric hospital.
During the war, she met George Kirkham who was stationed in Brandon. They were married December 6, 1941 in Brandon before Dad was sent overseas.

In 1945 Mom and Dad returned to Lethbridge just as their family started to grow. They lived in Lethbridge until 1954 when Dad was transferred to Cranbrook, BC. While in Cranbrook, Mom was active in the Associated Canadian Travelers Auxiliary and the Knox Presbyterian Church.

In 1963, Dad was transferred back to Lethbridge. Mom soon became active in the Wylie group at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and many hours were spent doing hospital visits and participating in church functions.

Mom loved gardening and her gardens were always beautiful and well maintained. She loved to sit out in the garden after supper and enjoy her flowers and listen to the birds. During the growing season, there were always bouquets of fresh cut flowers in the house.

In 2004, Mary moved into Sunrise Village and enjoyed living there for three years. Unfortunately, in 2007, her health began to really fail and she moved Adaptacare nursing home.

Mary is survived her six children: Sandra Pelletier, Lethbridge, Alberta, Heather Kirkham, Victoria, BC, Kathleen (Jack) Schwass, Ottawa, Ontario, James (Greta) Kirkham, Lethbridge, Alberta, Roberta (Ralph) Pelzmann, Lethbridge, Alberta and George (Melody) Kirkham, Lethbridge, Alberta and her grandchildren Jocelyn Pelletier, Craig (Briana Marquardt) Pelletier, Tamara Kucheran, Michael Kucheran, Jacqueline Schwass, Alison Schwass, Matthew (Devon) Pelzmann, Tara (Steve) Palmer, Eric (Lauren Goertzen) Pelzmann, Pamela Kirkham, Shelby Kirkham and Nicole (Jason) Kowal, and her great granddaughters, Elise Boschee and Brynnley Kowal. Also Mary is survived by her sister Terry Goldstone of Brandon Manitoba and sister-in-law Dorothy Kirkham, Calgary, Alberta as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband George Phillip Kirkham on November 16, 1993.

A Funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at ST. ANDREWS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1818 - 5 Ave South, Lethbridge.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes can be made to the Alzheimer Society, #402, 740 - 4 Ave South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0N9 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 210D, 12 A Street North, Lethbridge, AB T1H 2J1 or the Alberta Lung Association, PO Box 4500 Stn South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0N9.