MARY QUIDING has gone on that great cruise ship in the sky. Waiting to meet her with open arms are her husband Don, her grandson Derek, her parents Tony
and Lena, her sister Nettie and brother
Ernie, as well as numerous other family and friends. MOM was born September 20, 1924 and raised in Melville,Saskatchewan
where her father was employed with the CNR.
It was a tough existence coming through the dirty thirties, but Mom was raised in a loving home. In her teens, Mom found work at Anderson’s Hardware, then, during the war years she met a young man in the RCAF. Don Quiding had served in England and after the war ended was stationed in Yorkton. They dated until 1947 when Don left to seek work at CM
and S in Trail BC. Once Don was settled and working in Trail he wrote Mary a letter proposing marriage.
Well, Mom quit Anderson’s and took the train to BC to start a new life. She and Don were married at the end of January 1948 and in September Mom delivered twins Sharon and Butch. They lived in Trail for a year then purchased a home and land in Blueberry Creek where they built a wonderful life. Their son
Ernie was born in 1954 and life rolled smoothly by as the kids grew up.
In 1976, Don retired and Mom and Dad had
nineteen wonderful years of retirement.
They were overjoyed being grandparents to Kristen, Derek and Shane. And they traveled, bus trips to Reno, Nashville, California, Florida, and across Canada. Cruises along the west coast, through the Panama Canal, and more were done.
Mom lost the love of her life to cancer in 1996, but she said now it’s time for me and carried on.
At 75 she drove to Manitoba with her
daughter and grandson for a reunion.
She cruised to Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean and took numerous bus trips to Bonner’s ferry and Coeur D’Alene to gamble. Everyone will tell you how lucky she was!
In 2002, Mom suffered the tragedy of losing her grandson Derek as she had lost her brother fifty years before. After turning eighty, she also
started having some health issues. The last year of her life was spent living in Castlewood Village, where she felt like a queen. Mom passed away on March 6, 2010.
Mary is survived by her daughter Sharon,
Sons Butch and Ernie (Carol),Grandchildren Kristen (Devin) and Shane, Great Grandchildren
Daphne and Greyson, and many nieces
and nephews.
Mom was a special lady and one of a kind.
She was an artist when it came to knitting and crocheting and all of her family has beautiful afghans and doilies made by her. Throughout her life she had numerous friends, making new
ones wherever she went. She always said, “Little did I think that this girl from Saskatchewan would see and do all the things that I have”.
She lived a good life, and better still,
SHE thought she lived a good life.
Happy cruising Mom!!
Thanks to all who cared for Mom in her final days, and a special thank you to the residents, staff and home support workers at Castlewood Village who allowed Mom and us to be a part of
your community and showed so much love.
An informal come-and-go tea to exchange
memories of Mom will be held at the
Castlegar Legion on March 26 from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm. Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Castlegar Funeral Chapel.