Saturday, April 6, 2024
It is sad news that Aunt Mary has passed. I was fortunate enough to meet her last summer when I was in Canada for my father John's funeral. John was Mary's brother. They had drifted apart over the years as family often do. I was able to find Mary at Lanark on the day before I left Canada for China.
She received me with open arms, and I felt her warmth. I regretted not knowing her or finding her earlier. She expressed the same feelings to me repeating many times, "We should have done this earlier."
She made me feel as if I had known her all my life with her welcoming smile and sparkling personality.
She had amazing vitality at 100 years of age. That day she asked me, "Which one of you boys is in China?" I said, "That's me!" I asked her how she knew and she said, "Google!" This still makes me smile to myself today.
My condolences to all of Aunt Mary's friends and family. I am sure she will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
Robert Heipel
