CAMPBELL, Mary Cecilia
January 21, 1928 (Wandsworth, England) – August 15, 2020 (Canmore, Alberta)
Devoted wife of Douglas. Loving mother to Anne and Linda. Mother-in-law to Bill and John. Adoring Nana (aka, affectionately, The Fierce One) to Russell, Phillip, Sean, Patrick (Leila) and Alex. Great-grandmother to Mason and Henry. Aunt to Andrew and Margaret. The only child of Edith and William Cook. A life well lived. A family well loved.
Mary passed away peacefully, in the company of Anne and Linda, on August 15, four months after her beloved Douglas (husband, dance partner and hiking companion of 62 years).
We thank the Bethany Cochrane for their exemplary care.
Mary was our rock. She was old school; determined, non-complaining, adventurous, smart, witty, a cornerstone of the family. She valued education and made it accessible to her children and grandchildren.
Mary was passionate about her English heritage, immensely proud of her Canadian citizenship and embraced New Zealand as a home away from home. She corresponded with countless friends around the world and welcomed many a weary traveller.
She was not afraid to make her feelings known. Her forthright views emboldened family members to live in a strong, honest, fearless and caring manner. She left no room for ambiguity and addressed any wrongs that she felt needed righting.
With the eyes at the back of her head, Mary kept the grandchildren in check. They were in awe of Nana. She was “as old as her tongue and a little bit older than her teeth” and could drink scalding hot soup because of her fireproof staircase.
Mary loved a good bargain, the discount and story often valued more than the purchase. She could knit and sew and, whilst hated to cook, put on a Saturday English tea which was a family favourite. She was a stickler for English grammar, loved Scrabble and crossword puzzles, and enjoyed a good joke, especially a rude one. She set a strong pace but always had time for a good cup of tea, from fine bone china, steeped in a teapot, NEVER from hot water poured over a teabag in a cup.
Mary and Doug were a team. They were enthusiastic Canmorites, active in town life and supporters of many charitable causes, particularly those benefitting the local community.
A team briefly parted, now reunited, on a new adventure, and forever in our hearts.
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Dear Family of Doug and Mary Campbell,
My husband Burke and I hiked many times with Doug and Mary over the years, and Burke also worked with Doug building and repairing trails. Even 20 years ago when we moved to Canmore from the US, Doug and Mary were legends in town. After getting to know them we understood why. Their many contributions to bettering life in Canmore will be remembered and felt for decades to come. Your description of Mary’s “forthrightness” is on target and kind of a hoot. I was a bit put off by her approach at first, but came to enjoy and appreciate her. It’s lovely to think of them together again, hiking the hills and valleys of Shangra La.
With Deepest Sympathy, Nancy and Burke Stinson
What a fantastic summary of your mom. Linda and Anne, I was sorry to hear about your Mom’s death. What a challenging 4 months you have had. I have very fond memories of your mom, she was always very welcoming to me – though initially a bit intimidating I admit – but only initially as I learned her style of communicating and grew into my own. As an adult I recall having lovely conversations with her and your Dad when I ran into them by chance A time or two in Calgary and when we visited you in Canmore. And I vividly remember New Years Eve celebrations at your house and camping at Radium, BC with them in your tent trailer when we were in our teens. Mary was the salt of the earth. We need a few more like her.
How fitting that 2 kindred spirits and lifelong partners are now reunited and hiking new and unchartered trails together. Anne and Linda.. you have both been the most amazing daughters with your care and unconditional love and devotion to both Doug and Mary especially in these last few years. Distance and time have not hindered your constant presence by their sides, physically and virtually. They MUST have done something right in the parenting department for sure! It will be strange not to be seeing Doug and Mary in Auckland as I have on numerous occasions in the past. I know they will be sorely missed by all the family and those who have been lucky enough to have been their friends. Bon voyage Mary..I’m sure there will be many more “deals’ to be had where you are going.. Jennifer and boys
To Doug and Mary’s family,
What a wonderful story of Mary’s life and personality. Thank you for that. Doug and Mary were our close neighbour’s on 2nd street for about 30 years. They were a special couple and we always enjoyed the time we spent together as friends and neighbours. They were an inspiration to all. They will be missed by all that knew them.
Dear Anne and Linda – my sincere condolences on Mary’s passing. She certainly had a full life of adventures. My late husband and I met Mary and Doug while hiking. We joined them on many really great ones over the years they still hiked. Later on, after they weren’t able to hike, I led many of the hikes and followed Doug’s lead lessons. I have many fond memories of them also dancing at our Senior functions – they were a really good pair on the dance floor. May you cherich your memories of both parents. Sincerely, Maureen Martel (and Paul in memory).
Dear Anne and Linda,
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your extraordinary and wonderful mother Mary. The friendship and support that both she and Douglas extended to me during my two years of teaching life in Canmore and beyond, was pretty special, most particularly my treasured tea and biscuit evenings with both of them, watching Rumpole of the Bailey.
Rest in peace, dear Mary. I will surely miss you.
Anne Bloomberg.
Our sincere condolences to Anne, Linda and all the family.
Mary had a great personality and certainly knew her own mind, but who made people so welcome to their home, and yes, the tea was always wonderful, just made the traditional English way. We will always remember her and Doug, especially when visiting Canmore, they did so much for the town, with the hiking club, plus maintaining and making of the trails around the area. It was a privilege to have known them both.
Hopefully they are now together, and hiking once again.
Dearest Anne, Linda, Bill, John, grandkids… I have been in awe of your family since I befriended Anne over forty years ago, and have been privileged to see Mary’s “mountain wildflowers” grow and flourish. I have always admired Mary and Doug’s dedication to family – starting with their multi-generational family home of many years ago, and continuing with the love and respect they continued to bestow on their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. They loved their daughters, sons-in-law, grandkids, and their community. I have been privileged to have shared many special moments in the welcoming home that Mary was matriarch of. I have received birthday cakes, hiking experiences, mountain tips, and have even had my extended friends warmly received in Mary and Doug’s Canmore home. And I loved to watch Mary and Doug dance. One of my fondest memories is of Mary and Doug expertly “cutting the rug” at Emerald Lake Lodge in 1997. But most of all, I am grateful for the values of love, decency, respect, and kindness that Mary and Doug instilled in their daughters – values that Anne and Linda have nurtured in their own families, and demonstrated in their exemplary care of their aging parents. I, too, have been the lucky recipient of many decades of friendship with the Campbell-Cryderman families, and consider this beautiful family to be Mary (and Doug’s) greatest legacy. Sending the most heartfelt virtual hugs to Anne, Linda, and families. Much love from Terri (Hawkes), Alexa and Jake. xoxoxoxo
Linda, Anne and families. Sending you my sincere condolences in the loss of both of your parents, such special people and friends of my husband and me over many years. When I moved to Origin retirement community five years ago, I was delighted when they moved in as well. We continued our friendship and enjoyed some good laughs together. You were both such devoted daughters, bringing them comfort and joy over their last years. They were so proud of you and their grandsons. May your memories cheer your spirits.
Dear family of Mary and Doug. My sincere condolences on your loss of Mary and Doug. I cherished their welcoming ways when I was a new Rocky Mountain Rambler. They both had much to teach me about hiking in a most friendly and accepting manner. May they enjoy their new adventures together.
Anita O’Reilly
Dear Linda and Anne and families:
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your special parents.
My Dear Doug spent many hours with your Dad on the hiking trails when we first came to Canmore.
Your Mom was always kind and gracious to us – loved her dry whit.
We are very grateful to have known them both.
Wishing you peace and love during your time of grief.
You are an amazing family.
Lynn and Doug Cooper
To Doug and Mary’s family
I have known Doug and Mary for the past twenty years. They led many great hikes and both contributed significantly to the Canmore community over the years. They will be greatly missed by so many of us.
Beryl Park
I read the obituary of Mary in the Rocky Mountian Outlook. I am sorry to hear about your loss. She sounded like an amazing women especially grandmother. I am inspired to be like her. Thanks for sharing Mary’s story. You have great memories of her. She will be missed but memories will always be alive. Barbara K
Dear Linda, Anne and families
With deepest Sympathy.
We have known Mary and Doug for a long time. We went on many good Rambler hikes together. After their move to Canmore we were always made so welcome in their beautiful home. We had great times together, thank you so much.
Bob and Helga Pattison
Dear Anne and Linda, Bill and John and families. Both your parents/grandparents/great grandparents were unique, very special people, made more together. One was not the same without the other. And now you will be different without them. I see in all of you many of the no nonsense, straight shooter, dry wit, commitment to task, characteristics that were at your parents’ core Anne. They were proud of their family and you did them proud right to the end. I wish you strength in the coming days for this loss is hard but you are strong. I know from whence you came.
Truly lovely obituary for your mom.
Thinking of you from afar… love Diane and Jim (Cryderman/Pomeroy) in Moncton N.B.
The West Auckland District Tramping Club sends their condolences to Mary & Doug’s family.
(by shear coincidence, their local Canmore Travel Agent is a friend of mine, and thought to share in notice from your local newspaper). Doug & Mary became involved with our club during their numerous visits to New Zealand. It was a pleasure and interesting to have them join us on our hikes and weekends away. Doug & Mary in return hosted about 12 of our club members on a trip to Canmore where we were very well looked after.
Peter Tuohy
on behalf of the West Auckland District Tramping Club.