It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of our Mother, Mother-in-law and Nana, Mary Dorothy Webber (nee Dutoff) August 1, 2020 at Eagle Ridge Hospital, Port Moody. Daughter Laura and son Allan were at her side.
Pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Gordon (Spud) in 2017. Mom is survived by son, Allan, daughter, Laura (Lori) and son-in-law William Burk, grandchildren Madison (Anthony), Connor (Maria) and Michael (Suzi), 3 great grandchildren and friends.
Born July 18, 1933 to Lucy and Les Dutoff in Swan River, Manitoba. the Dutoff family of six moved in the 1940’s to Vernon, B.C. In the late 1940’s Mom moved to Queensboro, B.C. to live with her beloved Grandmother, Hannah Cheveldave.
Mom met the love of her life Gordon in 1950 in New Westminster, B.C. Married in 1952, they raised Allan and Lori in Pleasantside, B.C. then moved to Coquitlam in 1972.
Community commitment and volunteerism along with political convictions, Mom in the 1960’s was a Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent at the Ioco United Church, served on the P.T.A. and Parent Guild Association at Port Moody Elementary School and P.G.A. Chairman of Coronation Park Elementary. She assisted in forming the CKNW Orphans Fund Ladies Bowling League, Port Moody and was a Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer.
In 1968 Mom campaigned for Liberal Candidate Pierre Trudeau and still has the rose he gave her at a Liberal Party Luncheon.
Provincially, Social Credit she campaigned in the 1980’s for Premier William Bennett and the Honourable Grace McCarthy. Attending the official opening of Expo 86 was a highlight from those days.
In 1969 Mom was the first woman to run for an aldermanic seat in the Port Moody election. Her platform ideas of affordable housing and overcrowding of schools are still relevant today. Although she did not win, her legacy is the miles of sidewalk still along Ioco Road which she fought the B.C. Ministry of Highways to put in. To this day, they are unofficially known as “the Mary Webber sidewalks”.
After Allan and Lori left the nest Mom accepted a position as Hostess of the Vancouver Golf Club. Nicknamed “Mother Mary” the “Hostess with the Mostest” was a perfect fit for her. The late Hockey Legend, Babe Pratt signed his Hall of Fame Photo for her which reads “To Mary, the one who makes the Vancouver Golf Club tick”.
Mom was known for her warmth, sense of humour, strength, independence, and feistiness. Two of her favourite phrases were “don’t give in” and “don’t get mad, get even”.
Mom loved baking fabulous birthday cakes, Christmas cakes, shortbread, the music of the Gaithers and Daniel O’Donnell, reading, arts and crafts, floral arrangements, and entertaining An accomplished seamstress she hand sewed Halloween costumes and tap dancing costumes for Allan and Lori at Evelyne Ward’s.
In their retirement years, Mom and Dad shared interests in travelling, politics, casinos, fundraisers and spending time with family. Watching their grandchildren grow into fine adults was their greatest pleasure.
When Dad became ill in 2015 Mom was his loyal companion until he passed in 2017.
On Mom’s and Dad’s 50th Anniversary the family gift was a star named “GORMAR 032852” with the International Star Registry in Switzerland.
“GORMAR 032852” is shining more brightly as Mom and Dad are reunited in Heaven.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
The family sends their thanks to COVID phone pals “Willie” and Cliff, Dr. Tom Cybula and staff, and Nurse Nadine of MCU-Eagle Ridge Hospital for their kindness and care of Mom.
By request cremation and private family goodbye was held August 7, 2020 at Burquitlam Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations to B.C. Heart and Stroke Foundation, CKNW Kids’ Fund, Variety -The Children’s Charity of B.C. and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice are gratefully appreciated.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Webber Saturday August 1st 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Coquitlam, Province: Colombie britanique