Mary Ann McKenzie (nee Lohman) passed away peacefully at Central Okanagan Hospice House in Kelowna on February 5, 2013 after a short, valiant fight with cancer.

She is survived by her adoring husband of 25 years, Tom
McKenzie, her three daughters: Margaret (Jack) Surinak of Fort St. John,
Christine (Gary Grout) Dixon of Nakusp and Linda (Danny McGrath) Dixon of Nakusp and step-son Ian McKenzie of Vernon, B.C. and 7
grandchildren: Stacey (Rob) Derouin, Lee Surinak, Claire Paradis, Amos Evans, Kate (Warren) Lario, Chris (Sarah) Surinak, Geoff
(Karalyn) Grout and 4 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by
her older sisters, Irene McLean of Fort St. John and Sylvia Cranston
of Nanaimo, B.C. and brother-in-law Ron (Fern) McKenzie of Kelowna. She was pre-deceased by an older sister Lucy Scheck and older brother Lawrence Lohman, step son Brian McKenzie.

Mary Ann was born in Effingham, Illinois on May 10, 1929. She moved to Fort St. John, B.C. as a baby, where she was raised by her
grandparents, Annie and Ted Schauwecker. She helped with her
grandmother’s laundry business and her grandfather’s pool hall
business. She was a member of the Alcan Follies and worked at the
Hudson Bay Company post. In the Peace River country the Lohman girls, comprised of Mary Ann and her sisters were much in demand for their
beautifully harmonized singing voices and musicality. She moved, with
her grandparents, to Armstrong, B.C. where she married Earl Dixon and raised their three daughters.

The best and happiest years of her life were spent with her husband, Tom, with whom she enjoyed dancing, travelling, spending time with family and friends, and working in their yard.

Mary Ann will always be remembered for her wonderful adventurous cooking and delicious baking; her wicked sense of humor and her love of practical jokes. Her daughters have special memories of the beautifully decorated cakes she made with love for their birthdays.

There will be no service, by request. Interment will be in the
Armstrong-Spallumcheen Cemetery in the spring.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the guest book at
www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Valleyview Funeral Home, Kelowna, BC
250-765-3147.