PAIGE, MARY ROSE
The Paige family announces with sadness the passing of Mary Paige, formerly of Pakenham, on March 26, 2015 at Fairview Manor at the age of 97. Born Mary Rose Nicholson on December 15, 1917 in Kilmuir, Prince Edward Island, she was the daughter of the late Daniel J Nicholson (1920) and the late Flora Rose (1975). Mary was predeceased by her husband Bert (1975), daughter Dawn (1975), son Daniel E (2012), and two brothers: Daniel J (killed in action in 1944) and Homer (1965).
She is the dearly loved mother of Ian (Janet Rintoul), Jane (Stewart Barr), Margie (Ritchie Argue), and Sandra (Francis Fuca); the proud grandmother of Rodney Barr (Samantha), Cindy Hartwick (Troy), Emily Paige (Daniel Gies), Daniel M Paige (Carly Leithead), Paige Wattie (Jared), Gillian Argue, and Grace Badham (Andrew); and she is survived by her 10 wonderful great-grandchildren. Mary is also fondly remembered by Alice Puddington; niece and nephews: Janice, Frankie and Jamie, in Kitchener; and sister-in-law, Nancy Paige, in California.
At the age of eighteen Mary was teaching at a one-room school at Albion, PEI (many grades in one room was no doubt valuable preparation for rearing six kids and welcoming all their pals). Throughout her life she cherished her Island roots, often returning to see family and friends. During the war, she was hired by the Bank of Montreal in Charlottetown to fill a vacancy left when her brother Dan enlisted in the army never to return. On a blind date in 1943, Mary met Bertram Courtney Paige, an RCAF officer from Bridgeport, Ontario who was training in Summerside. Before Bert returned overseas, they were wed in 1944 in Alberta where he had been stationed. Bert and Mary lived in Kitchener, Waterloo and Gowanstown prior to moving to Pakenham in 1965.
Mary was a quiet, private person who deeply valued her friendships with dear neighbours in Pakenham, as well as those formed while working as the bookkeeper in the early days of the Centennial Restaurant. She treasured the time spent as a life member of the Women’s Institute, as a member of St. Andrew’s United Church and the UCW, as a volunteer at the library, and at the card table playing bridge.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 31 at St Andrew’s United Church in Pakenham. A reception will follow, and as Mary would want, dessert will be served! Arrangements entrusted to C.R. Gamble Funeral Home, Almonte. Heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Fairview Manor for their compassionate care. Donations to St Andrew’s United Church or Fairview Manor Auxiliary would be appreciated.
Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com
