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Mary Findlay

FFINDLAY, MARY P. - 1924 - 2013 - The death of Mary Phillips (Marich) Findlay formerly of Bristol occurred on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at Pine Grove Nursing Home, Fredericton, NB. Born in Bristol she was the daughter of the late Edgar and Mona (Phillips) Marich and wife of the late Sidney Findlay. Mary was also predeceased by a brother, George Marich. Mary attended school from Grade 1 to 10 in Bristol, NB continuing with Grade 11 at Mount Carmel Academy (Saint John). She then furthered her education at Acadia University (Wolfville, N.S.). Graduated 1944 at the age of nineteen with a B.Sc (Dietetics), completing her studies at Montreal General Hospital 1945. In September of 1945 Mary took a position in Arvida, Que. with the Aluminum Co. of Canada as a hospital dietitian. She moved back to Montreal in 1946, and worked at the General Hospital until the Spring of 1947 when she returned to Bristol. On June 11, 1947 Mary was married to Sidney (Sid) Findlay, and by Fall of 1947 had prepared to take over the family business in Bristol from her widowed mother. Mary, along with her husband, Sid, operated “Marich’s - The Country Store”, a department store renowned for retailing quality clothing, china, linens, and for providing outstanding service. The business flourished and was well known and appreciated by many loyal customers from both near and far. Mary and Sid were the 5th generation of proprietors of the family business in Bristol. The store was sold to an outside interest in 1976. In the fall of 1976, Mary returned to school, and in 1978 graduated with honors from The University of Maine in Presque Isle with Business Administration degree. Upon this time Mary was appointed as the first female to the Board of Directors of the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (a position held for 12 years), performed office work for a local car dealership, and provided counseling for the Federal Business Bank of Canada. In 1980 The Florenceville Rotary Club approached Mary to raise $200,000.00 for the then proposed Riverview Manor in Bath. In just over 4 months the goal had been surpassed. Mary was always working from a daily “to-do” list. Never to be seen without a challenge, be it a crossword or a knitting project, Mary was a master of multi-tasking. Feeling a void from public interaction, in 1981 Mary opened “Marich II” in the family home which operated seasonally until 1991 when her husband’s declining health took increasing priority. In 1995, after having been a member of Synod for the local parish of the Anglican church, Mary, hearing that the church needed to raise money, came up with the idea to write a small book, “Grace before Meals”. With help from the Rector Chris Van Buskirk and another parishioner, Aubrey Lamont, a book containing a different grace for everyday of the year was composed and in excess of 2,000 were published. Mary was a devoted family person. Her passion for good food, amazing appetite, and her outstanding talent for cooking cumulated in terrific kitchen gatherings on a regular bases … everyone in attendance was expected to contribute, but never to get in her way. She was blessed with a wonderful marriage for over fifty years, and was a relentless mother to her adoring children and grandchildren. Mary loved people, especially little children, and to be involved working and helping others. Additionally, she relished travel and adventure be it a snow mobile trip or an African safari. She was for many years an active seasonal member of the community of Fountain Hills, Arizona and enjoyed surrounding adventures in the America’s south- west. In 2003 Mary moved from Bristol to Ste. Anne’s Court in Fredericton where she enjoyed three years prior to moving to Pine Grove Nursing Home. Throughout failing mental health from Alzheimer’s disease, Mary maintained a strong dignity. Mary’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the personnel at Pine grove, the caregivers (especially, Barbara) from Bayshore Services as well as very dear friend, Dottie O’Brien, for helping to make our Mother’s stay in Fredericton as comfortable as possible at all times. Mary is survived by her three children, Cynthia Paterson (George), George Findlay (Heather) and Nathanial Findlay (Anne); six grandchildren, Jessica Findlay, Kirk Paterson, Leah Findlay Bombicino, David G. Findlay, Sarah Findlay and David W. Findlay and a cousin, Mary Pat Newman.
A celebration of Mary's Life will be held at a later date and will be announced at that time. For those who wish donations made to the Alzheimer's Society or to Pine Grove Nursing Home would be appreciated. L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors are entrusted with the arrangements. www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca (506) 392-1115

 

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