Obituary of Mary Irene CHALMERS

1923 – 2016 Mary Irene Chalmers lived through interesting times: The Great General Strike, the Depression, World War Two. Full of courage, she stepped into her life with the intention to prevail. She travelled the world, served as a member of WAC in Palestine where she met the love of her life, Captain John Cynfelin Thomas. Widowed in Kohat, Pakistan with a young child she returned to a Britain still in the throes of post war rationing. Unwilling to succumb she decided to work for Cunard Lines during the heyday of transatlantic travel. There she met her second husband Wm Wilkie Chalmers, an engineer. Together they began a new life in Canada. They settled in Calgary where Bill was employed by Canadian Occidental. Mary settled finally into suburban life where she enjoyed friends, family and the stock market. Mary never forgot the generosity and grace of people she met as she travelled through the Middle East and Asia. For Mary Irene goodness knew no borders. Latterly she wanted to help refugees of the Syrian conflict by donating. During her last years Mary Irene suffered a series of health crises that brought her into the wonderful care of Alberta’s public health system. She received superb help from her family physician, Dr Patrick Lai, and then Dr. Maureen Young and the exceptional Transition Ward at Foothills Hospital. Finally, she and her family deeply appreciated the compassionate attention of Dr Shenkle and the great-hearted staff at Bow View Manor. Mary Irene’s wish is that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to the Refugee Resettlement Ministry through Canada Helps https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/church-of-st-laurence/ or to The Brenda Strafford Foundation (Bow View Manor: Nancy.hammer@straffordfoundation.org ). The celebration of Mary’s life is to take place at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at her daughter’s home. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Irene Nicholson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by Mcinnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Telephone: 403-276-2296.