Obituary
Mary Victoria Brown (née Hatfield)
“Are we going to have a game?”
Nothing made Mary happier than her family and friends at the dining room table for a big meal, followed by a rousing game of cards. All the better if she had a polar bar or a rye and ginger to fuel her competitive fire. Whether it was poker, auction, bridge, or spite and malice, Mary’s keen mind made her the favourite at any card table.
Her kind heart, her generous nature, her sweet laugh and her devotion to those she loved made her the favourite at any gathering.
Mary died peacefully on July 3, 2022 at Kenny’s Pond Retirement Residence in St. John’s, NL at the age of 88.
Mary is survived by her children Harold (Sherry), Murray (Liz), Keith (Theresa), Robin (Tom) and Chris, her 19 grandchildren – Mary, Linda, Kathleen, Claire, Laura, Annie, Harry, Frankie, Danny, Jenny, David, Tommy, Pamela, Grace, Jack, Harry, Sophie, Ruby and Sam and four great grandchildren – Penny, Julienne, Claire and John.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Harry, son David and parents Alice and Lawrence Hatfield.
Mary was the eldest of nine children and is survived by Betty (Cliff), Vicki (Dave), Bill (Marg) and Bonnie (Dave) and predeceased by Ben, Anna, Theresa and Larry. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Joan, Peg, Dorene and Barbara, daughters-in-law Sandy and Tracy and many nieces and nephews.
She will be missed by her dear friends Eleanor and Oscar, and Mary ‘Gio’ and all the girls in ‘club.’
Mary was born and raised in St. John’s, spending her youth living atop the family grocery store on Carter’s Hill. She was a bright, inquisitive and popular student at Presentation Convent School. She placed first in Newfoundland in her Grade 11 exams, winning the Governor General’s Medal and a scholarship to Memorial University where she studied household science.
After university, she went to work at Canada Packers, saving her money so she and Betty could visit their aunts in New York City in 1955 – seeing the skyscrapers, riding the subway and eating pizza for the first time.
Mary was a skilled piano player and her love of music led her to form a glee club at the Catholic Youth Club in St. John’s. The club’s talents drew the attention of local radio personality “Uncle Harry” Brown, who came to record the singers and left with something far more meaningful: Mary’s phone number.
Harry and Mary were married in 1957 (despite the infamous protests of her father) and they soon began a family. After six children in 10 years, Harry’s career with the CBC led the family to Toronto in 1968.
They were active members of St. Andrew’s parish in Rexdale, joining the bridge club and meeting a new circle of friends.
After their children were all in school, Mary was anxious to return to the workforce, first at Albion Library and then at Humber College where she was an administrative assistant, and made friends who would last a lifetime.
Mary and Harry returned to Newfoundland in retirement in the early ‘90s, first in Holyrood and upon Harry’s death in 2002, Mary moved to Paradise.
She loved lilacs, turnip tops, maple walnut ice cream and the Toronto Blue Jays. She was interested in all kinds of sports and may have been an athlete if born in a different era.
She was so proud of her children and instilled in them a love of good food, the importance of laughter and the devotion to family.
She was in love with her grandchildren, and they with her. They could always rely on Nanny for hugs, a great meal and Tic Tacs.
She baked bread, pies, scones and even chocolate babka. She loved a hot cup of tea.
She was ‘our Mary’, Mom, Nanny, Aunt Mary.
She was the matriarch. She was cherished and adored.
She was a devout Roman Catholic, who put her faith in Jesus.
May God bless her sweet soul.
A Catholic funeral Mass will be held at Barrett’s Funeral Home chapel at 328 Hamilton Ave., St. John’s NL on Friday Aug 19 at 1pm, reception to follow.
Cremation has taken place and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Holyrood will be a private family ceremony at a later date.
The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Kenny’s Pond for their care of Mary the last 5 years.
In lieu of flowers or donations to organized charities, the family requests that those who wish to honour Mary’s memory do so by doing a good deed for someone in need.
Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Victoria Brown 2022..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N