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Mary Carnwath
August 2, 1919 - November 12, 2015
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<div itemprop="description">CARNWATH, MARY ELLEN (nee BAIN)<br />August 2, 1919 - November 12, 2015<br /><br />Surrounded by her family to the end, Mary passed away peacefully, and with dignity, at the Foothills Medical Centre. Mary is survived by her children Paula (Brian King), Mavis (Douglas Mills), Brian (Debra), grandson Luke Foster (Courtney) and five delightful great-grandchildren: Owen, Brynn, Dylan, Levi and Jackson. She is also survived by nieces: Marion (Denis) Reid and Phyllis (Mitchell) Williams, Langley, B. C.; Joanne (Charles) Peck, Logan Lake B. C.; Ellen Carnwath, Kirkland, Washington; and nephew, David (Karen) Baine, Edmonton, Alberta. Mary was predeceased by her husband John (Jack) William Carnwath on December 5, 1980; son-in-law, Paul Clark; her parents, Alexander and Margaret Bain; and five siblings: Annie, David, Margaret, Alexander, and William.<br /><br />Mary was born in Vancouver, the youngest of six children born to Scottish parents, Alexander and Margaret Bain. Living only a few blocks away from Jericho Beach, she enjoyed beach life and tennis with her siblings and schoolmates who remained life-long friends. In 1937, she met a handsome young RCAF Corporal, Jack and they married on March 18, 1942. She lived in Vancouver during WWII and worked as an administrator at Dominion Bridge where ships were built for the war effort. After the war they spent several years in and around the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, moving in 1955, after a brief stint in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where Calgary became home for the next 21 years. She enjoyed her time in Calgary as a busy mother of three children. She was keen baker, known for her light-as-air pecan cinnamon buns and pies, as well as an accomplished pianist, accompanist and dressmaker. Motherhood was her vocation, where good food was abundant; and etiquette and deportment cultivated. She encouraged helping others, a lesson her children learned well.<br /><br />In 1976 Jack and Mary moved to Tsawwassen, British Columbia, and after Jack&rsquo;s death in December 1980 she continued to live there until 2011, returning to Calgary and her family. Her indomitable spirit enabled her to live independently until the end. Mary remained a proud Vancouverite throughout her life. She was always elegantly turned out and an inspiring role model on how to age with grace and &eacute;lan. The family extends their gratitude and appreciation for the exceptionally compassionate care given to Mary and family from the staff of Unit 46 of the Foothills Medical Centre and to Doctors Dawn Clemett, Srini Chary and Family Physician, Nini Zaw-Tun. <br /><br />A celebration of her life will be conducted by The Rev. Brian Pearson, Rector at St. Stephen&rsquo;s Anglican Church (1121 - 14 Avenue SW) on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the Lung Cancer Translational Research Initiative at the University of Calgary. Donations may be made to http://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/MCarnwath or by cheque to the University of Calgary, c/o The Fund Development Office, HSC G302, 3300 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting leydens.com .<br /><br /></div>