April 11, 1929- January 18, 2024
It is with immense sorrow that we announce that, following a brief illness, Mary Harpley passed away peacefully on January 18 2024, with family by her side.
Mary was a long-time resident of Brantford before moving to Caressant Care Retirement Home in Harriston in 2016.
Throughout her life, Mary had an avid interest in animals, especially dogs, music, gardening, travel, history, photography, children and everything “Royal.” As a young woman in the UK, she worked with the Civil Defense Corps and the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. She was present at many important Royal events – the funerals of King George VI and Queen Mary, and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and Royal Week events at Ascot.
Mary moved to Canada in September 1959. She graduated with her nursing credentials in 1964 and worked at Brantford General Hospital until her retirement. Pediatrics was definitely her favourite assignment. Mary earned a reputation for being calm, quietly efficient, quick thinking and highly capable.
Family was important to her, whether it be her furry or feathered family or her siblings and the ensuing four generations of nieces and nephews or the family of friends she made and maintained over the years. Mary was keenly observant, a good listener, had a sharp mind and memory, a sense of mischief and quick wit. We all loved her stories.
Family and friends, in the UK, Canada and the USA, will dearly miss her and will remember her fondly- her sister Rosemary (Michael) Turner & family in the UK, nieces and nephews Julie (Brian) & family; Angela & family, Billie & Ron, Andy & family, Ian (Wendie), Colin (Jenny) and Kayte; her special friends Sandy & family & Brian (Lorraine), Jim and Florida; the staff and residents at Caressant Care Retirement Home, Harriston.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, William and Margaret Harpley, siblings Enid (Fred) Armstrong, William (Nancy) Harpley; Anthony Harpley, niece Denise Armstrong (Willis Richardson) and nephew Shaun Benstead.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 2 starting at 1:00 p.m. followed by a Service at 2:00 p.m. and a reception afterwards at the Gilbert MacIntyre Sun Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario. Internment to take place at a later date.
In honour of Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cancer Society or to the SPCA Wildlife Association in Mary’s memory would be appreciated.