Mary Alice Mercer
1934-2022
MERCER (Smith), Mary
Alice of Wolfville, age 91 years. We are saddened to announce the
passing of Mary on July 23, 2022, in the Valley Regional Hospital,
Kentville, Nova Scotia. Mary was born at home on a dairy farm in
Oxford, Nova Scotia in 1931, to the late Francis W. Smith and Luella
(Thompson) Smith. She graduated from Oxford High School, received a
registered nurse diploma from the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing
in 1952, and then furthered her education at Winnipeg General Hospital
obtaining a certificate in Operation Room Technique and Management. In
1957, Mary married John H. Mercer, and they lived in various locations
from Toronto to Halifax. While working in Nova Scotia, Mary assisted
in many firsts, including being involved in the first pacemaker
surgery in Halifax and the first hypothermic anesthesia procedure. She
also worked for several years in neurosurgery. In 1967, Mary and John
settled in Wolfville where they raised their two daughters through the
1960s and 1970s. In 1981, Mary completed a registered nurse refresher
course at the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. She returned to
nursing at the Wolfville Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital and enjoyed
various roles, but her favourite was same-day surgery. Mary retired
from nursing when the EKM closed in 1994.
Mary led an active
life, and in her earlier days, she enjoyed badminton, camping, and
horseback riding, which included being involved with the Halifax
Junior Bengal Lancers Equestrian Club. She exercised daily and enjoyed
gardening, travelling, lawn bowling, sewing and quilting among other
hobbies. Attending theatre productions and musical concerts, and
listening to Stuart McLean stories on the radio, were also ways that
Mary spent her time. Throughout the years, Mary volunteered for the
Wolfville Figure Skating Club and the Port Williams Health Auxiliary.
As a member of St. Andrew’s United Church and Orchard Valley
United Church, Mary was involved with the women’s group and
had served on many committees. She also made a point of attending
Moncton Hospital reunions and had recently celebrated her 70th
anniversary of being a registered nurse.
Mary is a survived by
daughters, Nancy (Jim) Thomas of Spring Lake, Michigan; and Sally
Mercer of Vancouver, British Columbia; grandchildren, Kira, Zackary,
and Carson; sister-in-law, Ruth Smith and several nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by many special friends whom she treasured and
considered to be family. Mary was predeceased by John in 2008, her
parents, her two older brothers, Lawrence Howard and Francis Thompson,
and infant sister, Susie Gertrude.
A celebration of life
will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 1:00pm at Orchard Valley
United Church, 9256 Commercial Street, New Minas. Guests are asked to
wear a mask and something in a shade of blue, Mary’s
favourite colour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VON
Annapolis Valley or the Port Williams Health Auxiliary. Funeral
arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and
Cremation Services, Kentville.
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19342022
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mary Alice Mercer 19342022..
Décès pour la Ville: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia