Mrs. Mary Lois Pengelly (nee Cameron) passed away quietly on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at the age of 92 years following a very brief illness at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Mary was born on September 19, 1928 to George and Lillian Cameron of Delburne, Alberta.

Mary grew up in Delburne, and in her Junior and Senior High School years, enjoyed working as a clerk after school and on Saturdays in the family owned Rexall Drug Store. Following graduation, she attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton and earned her Faculty of Education Teaching Certificate. She taught at both the Great Bend and Delburne Schools from 1949 – 1954, marrying Nigel Pengelly of Delburne on August 25, 1950. In 1954, she left teaching permanently to become a full time homemaker and farm wife; and she and Nigel raised their family on the Pengelly homestead north of Delburne. She lived there in her own home until the age of 90. At that time, declining health warranted a move to St. Mary’s Lodge in Trochu, and then a further move two years later, in October 2020, to Michener Extendicare in Red Deer, where she resided until her passing.

Throughout her life, Mary was very involved in the affairs of her community. She was an active member of the Delburne United Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Great Bend Community Club, the Delburne Friendship Group, the Anthony Henday Museum and was also a longtime volunteer with the Red Deer Westerner Exhibition. In 2011, she retired herself as a church organist for the United Church, after contributing to that position for seventy-five years.

Music had always been a large part of Mary’s life. Countless local events and funeral services benefited from her expertise on the piano and organ. She loved being able to share her musical talents. She participated in the Delburne Kitchen Band for many years; dressing in period costume and travelling to entertain seniors in various lodges around Central Alberta. As well as playing music, she also sang and was a member of the Delburne United Church Choir, the Tony Connelly Singers and the Pine Lake Singers.

Over the years, Mary also enjoyed ice skating and curling, both as a participant and a spectator, and followed baseball and hockey on TV as well. She always had a vegetable garden and took great pride in it and her numerous berry bushes, fruit trees and flower beds. She was an avid reader and always had a book “on the go”. When her husband Nigel retired from his teaching and was elected to the role of MLA for the Innisfail Constituency in the fall of 1978, she participated whole heartedly in his political career. Together they attended an untold number of events, never wanting to disappoint anyone who invited them and made many new friends all over Alberta. She maintained a lifelong interest in both Provincial and National Politics.

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Carol Anne Pengelly, Laura (Dave) White and Pamela (Mike) Payne; her eight grandchildren, Ryan (Nicole), Leigh Anne, Lindsay and Amy Green, Aaron (Janna) White, Sarah (Kent) Standish, Kelsey (Brandan) Moreau, Kaylene (Mathew) Horvey; as well as her fourteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Lillian and George, her husband of sixty years, Nigel; an infant son, Philip; a brother, Ron Cameron and wife, Grace (Blades); a sister, Audrey and husband, Harvey Shaw, as well as Nigel’s siblings, sister, Rosemary, and two brothers, John and David and their wives, Berta (Glenn) and Frances (McDowell).

It is with heavy hearts that the family has decided to forego a Funeral Service at this time. The hope is that a Celebration of Life may be arranged later in the year; and that family and friends will be able to gather to give Mary a proper send off.

If desired, Memorial Donations in Mary’s honor may be made directly to the Anthony Henday Museum, Box 374, Delburne, Alberta, T0M 0V0. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements in care of:

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer),

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2021-01-11
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com - Red Deer