With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mary Collver at the age of 91. She slipped away peacefully with her daughter Pam at her side and supported by the wonderful care givers at the Poplar Ridge Residential Care Pavilion in Trail. BC.
She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, and husband Keith. She is lovingly remembered by her survivors, who are scattered all across the globe – Her four children; John Collver, of Scarborough, Ontario – Pam Moro, of Trail, BC – Roy Collver, of Qualicum Beach, BC – Tim Collver, of Manilla, Phillipines; her 7 precious grandchildren, Thomas, Jordan, Victoria, Allison, Andrew, Jesse and Gabby, and her 6 great-grandchildren. She is greatly missed by her special niece, Judy Tobin of Nova Scotia, who corresponded with her daily.
Born Mary Eloise Williamson, in 1927 at Newmarket, Ontario, she became a school teacher in Toronto, Ontario where she met Keith R Collver, a handsome young university student and soldier, returned from the horrors of intense WWII combat. Married in 1948, their four children were born during the early years between Toronto and Mission City, BC, before the family settled in the town of Simcoe, Ontario.
Mary was actively engaged in that community, lending her expertise and passion as well as her distinctive dry wit to many sporting and cultural venues, notably the Norfolk Golf & Country Club, the Simcoe Curling Club and the Norfolk Historical Society’s Eva Brook Donly Museum.
Stricken with crippling arthritis and other health challenges in her middle years, she stubbornly fought through, inspiring many with her grit. She embraced gourmet cooking and wines – much to the delight of her family and friends – and was able to travel extensively to pursue another passion she developed in her middle years – that of hand spinning and weaving, earning certification as a Master of these arcane arts.
Once a teacher – always a teacher. Mary took great delight in showing her opponents how much more they had to learn about playing the game of Bridge. A passionate duplicate bridge player and keen competitor, she travelled far and wide to test her mettle against increasingly skillful competitors – her “win” list was impressive and she continued to enjoy these contests until recently, when she was no longer able to hoist the cards.
A spinner of yarn, and a spinner of yarns (stories) – she wove her golden threads into many people’s lives. She had a full life passing on her wisdom to those she encountered. She loved and was loved by many, and all will miss her.
Mary spent her final years in comfort at the Poplar Ridge Residential Care Pavillion in Trail, BC. with her passion for life still fresh. She was extremely grateful for the intellectually stimulating programs offered, and for the help and support she received from the Staff. She loved the outside patio area, and also the live music program, which brought professional musicians (classical, jazz, etc.) to visit senior residents throughout the Province. It was her expressed desire that this facility and its programs be well supported. As an expression of sympathy, the Family would ask that those interested in doing so, can make donations directly to Poplar Ridge Pavillion, Kootenay Boundary Hospital Foundation, 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 – Online access at kbrh.netcheckout.com (please check the box specifying the donation go to Poplar Ridge Pavilion.
A graveside service will be held near Simcoe in the Summer of 2019 – Time and place to be announced. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with funeral arrangements in Trail, BC.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
The poem below was found recently, penned in Mary’s flawless cursive script:
And when life’s sweet fable ends
Soul and body part like friends
No quarrels, murmurs, no delay:
A kiss, a sigh, and so away
Richard Crashaw (c. 1613 – 1649)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Eloise Collver December 27th 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique