February 7, 1923 – December 21, 2020
Passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020 at age 97 years. Predeceased by her parents Robert and Maud Pelletier (nee Artus) of Yorkton, Saskatchewan and by husband Conrad on September 6,1999. Mary is survived by her children Patricia of Hobart, Australia, Ann of Calgary, Alberta, Alan of Ottawa, several nephews and their families. Also predeceased by sisters Betty Larson of Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Dorothy Falconer of Kitchener, Waterloo.
Friends may visit at the McGarry Memorial Chapel, 176 route 105 Wakefield, on Monday, January 4th after 1pm until time of the Service in the Chapel at 2pm. For those unable to attend, the service will also be live streamed using Zoom : us02web.zoom.us/j/83894705553?pwd=b0hRbWgxWlpFejJOTm1FTkxxL1ZpUT09
Pursuant to current maximum attendance regulations, please RSVP at the bottom of the obituary page, to pre-register your attendance. Entry will be strictly limited to registered visitors. Attendees are required to wear face masks, and asked to respect and practice social distancing.
********************************************************************************
Recollections by Mary Pelletier
1923 Feb 7th – Mary Halliday born at home on the farm near Waidron, Saskatchewan. Mother was Maude Artus, father was Robert Patterson Halliday. Robert assisted with the birth.
1936 (Mary aged 13) – Father died of pleurisy (had tuberculosis when younger)
1936 – 1939 (Mary aged 13-16) – Mary, her mother, Betty and Dorothy remained on farm in order that Mary could complete grade 10 by correspondence. They did haying, milking, stooking grain and other family chores. There were hired men at times.
Sept. 1939 – World War II began
1939 (Mary aged 16) – Moved to a flat in Yorkton for grade 11, followed by secretarial studies. Wrote Civil Service examination. Mary met Joan Darrack (later Mott) who continue to be a good friend when they both lived in Ottawa.
1940 approx. – Mary’s mother became Matron of the Travellers Aid (where travellers on CP and CN Railroads stopped over to rest). The family lived in the back and on the second floor of the building.
1941 Aug. 1st – Mary age 18) – Received a letter advising that there was a job in Dept. of Munitions and Supply on Wellington Street, so she moved to Ottawa. Lived with 6 girls in Susan and Ellen’s boarding house on Florence Street (close enough to walk to work). These girls all kept in touch for many years. Mary worked as a typist and clerk.
1942 October – Mary met Conrad Pelletier, who was aged 34, who worked in the same office as she as a purchasing agent, sourcing anti-submarine components from Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.
1943 June 12th – Married Conrad (Dorothy was next to marry, then Betty). Betty was her bridesmaid, Ralph Briggs was the best man. The couple lived at the cottage at Kirk’s Ferry until autumn, and then moved to a house at 367 O’Connor Street in Ottawa. During this time, Mary met Conrad’s father, Mr. Honore Pelletier, who lived in Montreal (Conrad’s’ parents lived separately).
1942 or 1943 – A Col. Berche asked Conrad to work with him at the French Supply Council, which unfortunately closed at the conclusion of the War. Conrad worked at Distributor’s Acceptance Corporation Limited, 233 Metcalfe Street (corner of Somerset Street). He was the manager there.
1944 April – Mary left her job due to pregnancy
1944 June 22nd – Birth of first daughter, Patricia Mary
1945 October 26th – Ann Elizabeth born
1945 October – Bought row house on Albert Street (sold in 1948)
1947 – Mary worked at Ottawa / Hull Credit Bureau
1948 – Mary and Conrad bought a farm at Greely. About 4 years later, farm was rented out and the family returned to the house at 367 O’Connor Street. Several years later, house at 367 O’Connor Street demolished. Conrad’s mother, Mrs. Pelletier, went into a nursing home on Argyle Street. Conrad, Patty, Ann and Mary moved to apartment at 1 Flora Street (corner of Bank Street).
1958 March 24th – Alan Joseph Conrad was born. That autumn, the family bought a house in Eastview (now Vanier) at 367 Blake Boulevard, where they lived for 12 years.
1971 – Sold house and build cottage into a full time house (all season) with electricity, running water and good road.
******************************************************************************
Memories from Mary’s Children
Our dear mother Mary enjoyed reading, watching the news and the Antique Road Show on TV. She and Conrad went to auction sales in Ontario and Quebec for years. They also went camping close to home, as well as in every state in the United States, except Hawaii. Mary took classes in oil painting and she became very good at it. We all have our favourites. She did lots of gardening and she loved to watch the many birds and the deer. Alan kept the feeders full of seeds and nuts.
Our mother was kind and generous, and we will miss her greatly.
Monday December 21st 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mary Pelletier nee Halliday Monday December 21st 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario