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With great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Mary McFarland (nee Webb) on February 2, 2019 in palliative care at home in Duncan, after a long, second battle with cancer and dementia. Her daughters and husband were with her at the end.

Mary was born in Nottingham, England, the only child of the late Claud & Vennie Webb. Mary trained as a nurse and immigrated to Canada in 1959 to take a position as a nanny with a family in the Montreal suburb of Westmount. In her first few months in Montreal Mary joined The Trinity Players, a semi-professional theatre group, and as fate would have it, she met her future husband, Ian, in the group. In 1961 Mary returned to England and Ian went over later to visit her and then sent Mary a plane ticket to return to Montreal. He wasn't about to lose the love of his life! Mary & Ian were married on May 19, 1962.

In 1963 Ian & Mary returned to England for four years where their first two children, Lisa & Andrew, were born. The family returned to Montreal in late 1966, Ian rejoined the CBC and their third child, Judith, was born two years later.

In 1991 Ian and Mary both retired, Mary from her job as Secretary of Cedar Park United Church in suburban Pte. Claire. Two days after retirement they embarked on a new adventure in Tokyo, Japan, for two years, where Mary's creativity was inspired by many Japanese art forms, and where she acquired her lifelong passion for quilting. After several years back in Montreal they decided to forsake Montreal winters, and moved to BC. They eventually settled in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, and have been living in Duncan for the past 11 years. Ian & Mary were active members of the Cowichan Valley Newcomers Club and the Duncan Probus Club. Mary was an active member of the Cowichan Valley Heritage Quilters Guild & the Cowichan District Hospital Auxiliary.

Mary was an avid reader and would get through as many as 11 books in a month. She got great enjoyment from time with family and was the kind of Grandma who delighted in taking her grandkids on surprise trips to toy & bookstores. Mary was a very genuine, kind and generous soul, giving her time to a variety of local causes.

She was a very creative person and always had numerous knitting and quilting projects on the go. Mary loved to laugh and enjoyed being silly at times, but was a very smart person, giving out sage advice when needed. To her kids, Mum was a warm and empathetic person who would make everyone feel welcome at all times. She will be sorely missed by her husband of 57 years, her loving family and many friends.

Mary is survived by husband Ian, and children Lisa (Victoria); Andrew (Quebec); Judith (Phoenix, AZ); Nancy & Gary; and 8 grandchildren.

Sincere thanks to all the wonderful VIHA Home Support staff, the Home Support nurses & Dr. Valerie Masuda and her colleagues at the Cowichan District Hospital for their kind & caring support.

No service by request.



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