Mahy, Marie Therese

Marie Mahy September 17, 1937 – August 16, 2024

Marie was the middle child of 11 born to Henriette and Frank Dooley. They lived in the Grande Clairiere area and she went to Grand Clairiere school. She married Maurice one week after her 18^th birthday and Edward was born 10 months later. Marion, David and Joseph would follow.  Four children by age 26!  They farmed south of Maple Hill. They had no telephone or running water at the time. She provided a wonderful home for her family. She never had idle hands.  Always on her feet. Always a quiet determination. She did everything on the farm from milking cows to making hay to growing a huge garden. She canned hundreds of jars each year, everything from beets to beans to fruit. There was nothing she couldn’t do. She made delicious relish, bread and butter pickles and raspberry sauce.

Marie enjoyed people visiting and going to visit with neighbors and relatives. There was always a 500 game to be played. Melita was the destination on Saturday nights in the summer… stocking up for the week, taking the kids to the movie theatre and ice cream on the way home.

Marie would start her second career in her 40’s as a meat cutter/wrapper at Souris Valley Processors. It probably started out as a way to earn extra money at a time when farming was financially difficult, but it turned out to be a very rewarding career. She worked there close to 15 years and met many people that she would not have otherwise. She was always very proud of the work she did and the Christmas bonus she received each year for her hard work.

Marie retired temporarily but then started working at the Hartney landfill site for a couple of years. Again, she had the opportunity to meet many people that she hadn’t previously had a chance to. She and Maurice had their farm sale in 1996 and then retired to Reston for a few years. However, they kept their Grande Clairiere house in case they had a change of heart about living in town. They went a few years spending time at both Reston and Grande Clairiere, famously going to check the farm when bad weather was approaching. Although they enjoyed their time in Reston they did move back to Grande Clairiere after a few years.

Marie always had a quiet demeanor. She never liked an argument and she always cared for people who were less well off than herself. She loved children, especially the little ones when grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. Four children, seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, she will have a lasting legacy.

Lovingly remembered by Marion, David and Val, Joe and Michelle and grandchildren Jennifer (Mark), Brianna (Jason), Nick (Krista), Dustin (Melissa), Matt (Shanna), Hayden and Carter, along with her 12 great grandchildren.

She is also survived by: sisters Irene Charles, Cecile (Edward) Vinck, Yvonne (Noel) Fisher; brothers Ted (Darlene) Dooley, David Dooley; sisters-in-law Coreen Dooley, Diane Dooley, Georgina Dooley, Lauraine Mahy and brother-in-law Jack Robson.

Marie was predeceased by her husband Maurice, son Edward and son-in-law Brian.  She was also predeceased by: brothers John, Joe, Henry, and Maurice; sister Annette; brothers-in-law John Charles, Leo Peloquin and John Mahy and sister-in-law Joan Dooley.

If friends so desire, donations in Marie’s memory may be made to the Grande Clairiere Cemetery or a charity of your choice.

A special thank you to Val for providing Mom with loving care, especially in the last few years. Also, thank you to the staff at Souris Personal Care Home for their kindness and support during her stay.

A graveside funeral service for family and friends was held at the Grande Clairiere Cemetery on Saturday, August 31, 2024.