Mary Rhodes-Marriott

Early Friday morning on May 24th, 2024, Mary Rhodes-Marriott died peacefully in her sleep at Concordia hospital with family by her side.

Mary joins the love of her life, her husband of 61 years; Tony Rhodes-Marriott. We are comforted that they are now together and meeting up with all the family, friends, and family dogs that they loved over the years. Mary will be lovingly remembered by her children, Alison (Cam), Joanne (Bob) and Mike (Erin), her grandchildren, the true sparks in her life, Cass (Clara), Becky, Brady (Sarah), Nigel, Tyler (Alex), Abigail, Scout, Greer, and Eloise. Her nieces and nephews, Sue, Stuart, Gareth (Lorraine), Richard (Gosia), Janette (Matthew), Susan (Hubert), and their families. Mary had many lifelong friends that were like family and adopted many of our friends and their children. She had a way of loving and caring for people that she had just met as if they were life long friends. Mary was the most generous and giving person, and was always trying to fill our pockets and bags with treats. Even in her last few days she offered to share her meals and coffee.

Mary was predeceased by her brothers Joseph (her twin who died at birth), Thomas and his wife Margaret, and her sister Norma.

Mary was born in Stockport England on February 24, 1942. Mary’s dad, Thomas, was enlisted and fought for the British Navy. Mary’s mother, May, worked as a bar maid at a local pub.

Mary remembered growing up in air raid shelters and playing in bombed out houses. Mary’s legs were scalded when a German bomb was dropped near by, the explosion broke the family hearth, and she was splashed with a kettle of boiling water. Though at the time it was thought that she would never be able to be active, Mary was an avid netball and field hockey player winning many awards. Mary's love of the outdoors blossomed as she camped with the girl guides; she could remember many happy trips in bell tents to Snowdonia in Wales. Tragically, Mary’s Dad was injured during the war and never really returned to the family once the war was over. When Mary was just 16 years old her Mum died, leaving Mary and her siblings (18 and 14) to fend for themselves. When Mary spoke of this time she did so with a huge amount of empathy, recalling that many families were torn apart having lost many many family members in the war. She would say that it was a time when community became family and Brits just carried on. We believe Mary was about 18 when she met Tony at a friends party, and it was love at first sight. As Tony began a stint in the Airforce after being conscripted, Mary moved in with Tony’s parents Vera and William and his sister Barbara. Mary and Tony were married at Cheadle Parish Church in Stockport England on April 24th, 1962. They bought a caravan and moved into a second caravan shortly before Alison was born in 1965. In 1966, Mary, Tony, and baby Alison emigrated to Canada by ship. The young family lived in and around Toronto for the next 13 years moving many times (at least 11). In 1969, they welcomed twins Joanne and Michael to the family. Tony was filled with wanderlust, and Mary, though she almost always joined in, often kept him grounded. We have many fond memories of mum leading a sing song while roasting marshmallows over a fire, a tradition still honoured to this day. We have countless heartwarming memories of our parents and grandparents quietly chatting over a cuppa tea as we drifted off to sleep in many different campgrounds all across North America. We were fortunate to have “can do” parents (and grandparents) who cycled, camped, hiked, canoed, and shared their love of nature and travel with us. Most of our travel was by car and we can remember mum reading aloud to us as we passed the time. In 1980, the family moved to Winnipeg and settled into the Norwood community. Mary and Tony joined a volleyball group and were quickly included in all kinds of fun and shenanigans.

Mary was a people person in every sense of the name, working different jobs as she met the needs of diverse groups of people of all ages. She was especially proud of her work as a project manager for the federal government, and later enjoyed working at Fannys Fabric. Mary was also a gifted seamstress who loved making display costumes for Halloween.

The true highlight of her life was having “grandkids”, a new generation to cherish and love.

Mary was a terrific planner of fun, ensuring that we as kids, her grandkids, and everyone else's kids had activities to do and games to play. She never ceased to surprise us with themed hats, flags, gag gifts, and treats at any and all events they attended or hosted. Mary and Tony were avid thrift shoppers and collected a wide range of thoughtful things for everyone they knew. They were always thinking of others. Mary taught us that loving gestures didn’t have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. The grandkids fondly remember playing Pictionary, watching slide shows, and eating tuna salad sandwiches with chips, cheese, and apple in the basement of the St. Pierre Jolys house. Mary picked up countless dress up items and enjoyed watching the grandkids dancing about as they put on a show. She was always thinking of the next fun activity to “keep the kids busy” while we knew she was loving every minute of it.

Mary and Tony shared a love of bird watching, music, crossword puzzles, and travel. Mary and Tony travelled Europe by rail the year Mary turned 66, and again ten years later in what was to be their last overseas trip.

After Tony passed in October 2023, Mary sold her house in Steinbach and moved into Irene Baron Eden Centre in Winnipeg. She was lovingly cared for by Krista, Sandra, Kartar, Gifty, Darcie, Heather and so many others. Special thanks to the home care team that supported her at IBEC. Thank you to the staff at Concordia urgent care as well as the nurses on 3W who cared for our Mum during her short stay. A heartfelt thanks to nurse Joanne for listening to our wishes and helping ensure Mum's journey was pain free, we are so thankful to you. Thanks to Dr Mark Duerksen and Dr Ormiston.

Cremation has taken place and a joint celebration of the lives of Mary and Tony is planned at Norwood Community Centre for August 17th, from 2-4 pm.

In lieu of flowers do something kind or fun for someone, and let them know Mary sent you.

Extra thanks go to Crossing Funeral Care, once again thank you for making this emotional time seamless and stress free.

As Mum would say, Be careful…here take these cookies, thanks for coming!