Mary Bartley Obituary
May 14,1922-October 27th 2023
It is with heavy hearts that Mary Bartley’s family shares the passing of their beloved mother & grandmother. Mary lived a colorful 101 years and spent her century-long life sharing warmth and positivity to all those around her. Mary raised two children with her husband Russell, Trish and Stuart. She was a caring and loving grandmother to Jesse and Marika and welcomed Jesse and Marika’s father Angus into the family as her own.
Mary lived a rich,full life that began in Glasgow, Scotland in 1922. Shortly after her birth, the McDonald family made the trans-Atlantic voyage by steamer, immigrating to Canada and settling in Drumheller, AB where she lived with her parents, Tom and Margaret and sisters: Jessie, Sadie, Nan and Margaret and brother: Bill, As a young adult, Mary joined the war effort of WW2 as a driver and mechanic, she was part of the liberation movement into Belgium and the Netherlands. It was in the military that Mary met her husband-to-be, Russell Bartley, when Mary’s flight in eastern Canada was delayed waiting for Russ to reach the airport from his station. Mary and Russ raised Trish and Stuart on military bases across Canada before settling down in North Vancouver. Mary’s life in North Vancouver was full of year-round gardening, marathon bridge games with her friends, and playing grandma to all the kids on Wentworth Ave.
Mary is remembered for her quick, dry sense of humor, her reluctance to ask for help, and for being the first to offer her own help to those in need.
Mary leaves behind her daughter, Trish, grandson Jesse (Annika), granddaughter, Marika, many nieces and nephews
and many friends.
A celebration of Mary’s life will take place on December 20th at 3 pm at the Mineshaft Pub. All who knew her are welcome to join the celebration and toast to Mary’s life well lived!
