MARY PARKINSON

1917 - 2004

It is with sadness the family of Mary Parkinson announce her passing at the Taber Continuing Care on June 6, 2004 at the age of 86 years.
Mary was born on the farm at Retlaw, Alberta on September 5, 1917, the daughter of Mike and Mary Sakatch.  She attended school in Retlaw where her love of all sports, particularly softball was born.  It was here she met her soulmate Tommy Parkinson.  They were married in 1938 and spent their entire married life on the farm south of Retlaw.  Mary was a dedicated farm wife, who was particularly fond of gardening and farm animals, including her cats and chickens. Together, Tom and Mary enjoyed their love of farming, sports, fishing and the many gatherings socializing with family and friends.  Her husband Tommy died in 1985, and Mary remained on the farm until 2000 when she moved to Clearview Lodge in Taber, and later to the Taber Continuing Care.  Over the years Mary was active in the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, CGIT, Vauxhall Senior Citizen's Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Vauxhall Ladies Curling Club and Parkview United Church.  She was a life member of the Retlaw Sunshine Club.
Mary is survived by her children John (Gladys), William (Arlene) and Marian (Lonnie) Howg; grandchildren Shelley (Paul) Fejer, David Rodriguez, Julie Parkinson, Taylor (TJ), Leavitt and Rusty Howg; great grandchildren Jose Rodriguez and Kailey Fejer; nieces Dixie McCarley (Bill), Bev (Wayne) Bartlett, Sherry (Dick) Carroll, Brenda (Don) Steele, Jean (Gordon) Valgardson, Pat (Dick) Wanner and nephews Michael (Joan) Sakatch and Tom Danielson.  
She was predeceased by her husband Tommy; parents Mike and Mary Sakatch; father and mother-in-law Thomas and Vera Parkinson; granddaughter Lori Rodriguez; two brothers Mike and Frank (Doris) Sakatch and a sister Katie (Barnes) McCarley; sisters-in-law Ruby (Bill) Danielson and Violet (Jay) Hall.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel (5006-48 Ave.) Taber on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.
A celebration of Mary's life  will be held at Knox United Church (4929-50 Ave.) Taber On Thursday, June 10 at 2:00 P.M. with  Reverend Jim Lochhead and Reverend Aldeen McKay officiating. Interment to follow in the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Taber Hospital Foundation, Continuing Care, 4326-50 Ave., Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.