Mary Annie Thacker (Lawless) (nee Wayte)
Born Oct.30, 1933 Died March 23, 2020
As winter becomes spring, Mom received her desire to move from this life to begin a whole new journey. We will miss her very much, yet we know she slipped away peacefully which fulfilled our desire for her to no longer struggle.
Mary Annie Thacker (Lawless) (nee Wayte) of Glenboro MB, passed away at the Glenboro Personal Care Home on Monday March 23, 2020 at the age of 86 years.
Mary was born to George and Miriam (Mir) Wayte, a younger sister to brother Bob, in the Nursing Home just a mile and half from her last home. The family purchased land where the children were raised. Mary loved farm life, knowing well the need for hard work. Her love of the land and animals never left her. She attended school at Fairvalley, beginning in 1938, two months before she turned five!
After school Mom became a Mother’s Helper in Glenboro. After this, she moved to Brandon and then on to Calgary. It was in Calgary while she was working as a waitress that Mary met Charles (Chuck) Lawless, a private in the Canadian Army. They married in 1955. Cindy and Doug were born in Calgary. In 1960 Dad received an honourable discharge from the army and Mary and Chuck moved to Glenboro, just in time for Lori to be born. Mom wanted to be close to her family.
The Lawless’ moved to Treherne in 1962 after purchasing property on Broadway. As Dad started small businesses Mom raised three children, supported Dad in his work, and worked as a waitress at the Central Hotel coffee shop. When we were all in school Mom began working as a dental assistant and receptionist at the local dentist office and did that for many years. She opened her own clothing store which she enjoyed.
Mom and Dad both took active community roles in Treherne. Mom, with Mrs. Grey, taught CGIT for five years and she served on committees at Treherne United Church. A life- long joy for Mary was participating in various levels of in the Royal Canadian Ladies Auxillary. She held various leadership positions both in Treherne and in Glenboro, receiving a fifty- year service award.
Mary was athletic, a runner in early years, playing ball until her mid forties, curling and golfing until her seventies. Mom enjoyed crocheting, card playing, Bingo and camping. Later years travelling and then casinos. From the early sixties Betty and Ken Brooks were very close friends with whom Mary and Chuck played cards, camped and travelled. Mom and Betty are like sisters.
After several years of serious heart issues Chuck died in 1986. Adjusting to life alone was not easy, yet Mom rekindled her love of dancing. At an Old Time Country dance, Mom met John Thacker who just happened to also love to dance. They married in 1989 and went to two or three dances a week for many years. Mom closed her clothing store, sold the property and moved to Glenboro where John lived. Together they developed a menagerie of farm animals and birds, a large vegetable and fruit garden. Mom was back to her heart’s desire of living on a farm.
John struggled with health issues in later life and died in 2011. Mom was once again on her own, this time on the farm. She kept busy with the upkeep of the large yard and gardens and going to town for coffee and seniors’ suppers. Her life changed when she fell and broke her hip Sept. 2014, and the second hip a couple of years later. Within eighteen months Mom endured three hip surgeries She was in and out of hospital for the first years and then in Wawanesa PCH and then finally Glenboro PCH. Mom was settled, back home in Glenboro!
Mary leaves to mourn her children Cindy Terry of Surrey B.C., Doug (Sheila) Lawless of Winnipeg, grandchildren: Sean (Melanie) Terry, Mark Terry, Ryan (Jennifer) Lawless, Brayden Lawless, Preston Lawless and Michele (Devin) Cabernel, great grandchildren: Abigail, Keira, Brooklynn and Emma Terry and Ryker Lawless as well as John Thacker’s family, and members of Chuck Lawless’s family, Aunt Lena Wayte, cousins, nieces and nephews and best friend Betty Brooks.
Mary was predeceased by her husbands Chuck and John, her daughter Lori Cabernel, grandson Jeff Cabernel, her parents Mir and George Wayte, her brother Bob and his wife Connie.
We would like to thank Sandra Rex for her compassionate and attentive pastoral care, the staff of Wawanesa and Glenboro PCHs, Glenboro hospital staff and home care workers for their care of Mom.
In lieu of flowers donations made be made in Mary’s memory to the Glenboro and Area Foundation, Box 147 Glenboro MB, the Glenboro Legion Branch #71, Box 564 Glenboro MB R0K 0X0, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Due to COVID-19 we plan to celebrate Mom’s life at a date to be announced later.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Annie Thacker Lawless Wayte Monday March 23rd 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Glenboro, Province: Manitoba