Obituary of Mary Brigid Luyben

February 29, 1936 – Dublin, Ireland

March 20, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Mary Brigid Luyben (nee Hickey) was born in Dublin, Ireland, on February 29, 1936. She died a peaceful and Holy death, surrounded by loved ones in her home, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 88 years of age.

She was predeceased by her husband Henricus (Hein), and her sisters, Margaret, Kathleen, and Anna; as well as her brother William. Her loss of her mother when she was a small child had a huge impact on her life.

Mary met her husband Henricus in London, England. She worked as a stenographer, and he was a sailor in the Dutch Merchant Marines at the time. They married in London at Our Lady of Grace church on April 21, 1956. They lived in Holland for a short time and then, with their eldest son Norman, they immigrated to Ontario, Canada, in 1957. They moved to Calgary, AB, in 1959 and settled there to raise their seven children.

Mary was an avid swimmer and athlete. She was on a synchronized swim team and worked as a coach, lifeguard, and swim instructor at the Inglewood pool in Calgary.

In 1972, Mary and Hein, with their six younger children, left Calgary and moved to an acreage in Mt. Lehman, BC. They built their own house there. When Mary’s two youngest children were old enough, she worked as an office administrator for Valley Home Support until her retirement in 2001.

Mary was a great singer, and she sang in a German choir for several years. They toured and performed around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Mary and Hein hosted Holy Mass in their home, officiated by Father Normandin, who travelled and offered the Traditional Latin Mass. This was the beginning of the SSPX Parish of Christ the King in Langley, BC.

After caring for her husband at home through a 15-month battle with cancer, Mary was widowed on July 29, 2004. In May 2014, she moved back to Calgary.

Mary accomplished much in her life. She had a passion for art and music; she taught herself to play piano and guitar. She was fluent in Dutch and German, and she learned to speak some Ukrainian. She also enjoyed oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting. Above all, she valued her Faith, her family, and her church community. She always had time for her children and grandchildren. Everyone knew her as a devout, generous, and adventurous lady.

She remained close to her siblings and other extended family throughout her life. She travelled extensively to Ireland, England, Holland, Germany, Australia, and Italy. She also travelled across North America many times. Most of her travels were to connect with her family. She was deeply attached to her Irish homeland and Irish culture.

Mary will be most remembered for her pious devotion to her Catholic Faith and her care and commitment to her family. She will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, her wit, her gift for storytelling, her humor, and her openness to new adventures. She was a force to be reckoned with. She had a gift for forming and maintaining strong, lasting relationships throughout her life. She worked hard to instill piety and family values in her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered and appreciated for this.

Mary is survived by her son Norman, his wife Debbie (nee Butala), of Calgary, AB, and their children, Bridget, Amanda, Christine, and Nicholas; her daughter Deirdre and her husband Martin McKervey of Calgary, AB, and their children, Timothy, Emily, Melanie, Sean, Celeste, Justin, Stephan, Joel, Kevin, Marianne, and Brendan; her daughter Elizabeth in Coquitlam, BC, and her children, Michael, Laura, Kelsey, and Fiona; daughter Bernadette and her husband Alain LaPointe in St. Rene, QC, and their children, Blaise, Rachelle, Tacienne, and Itan; son Bernard and his wife Elizabeth (nee Whyburd) and their daughter Germaine; daughter Mary and her husband Thomas Plumley in St. Marys, Kansas, and their children, Sara, Caitlin, Connor, Ashleen, Brianne, and Declan; and daughter Kathleen in Los Angeles, CA, and her son Hank.

As well as Mary’s 31 grandchildren, she leaves 61 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Thomas Hickey and his wife Gudrun in Warendorf, Germany, her half-sister Bridget, and half-brother Tony in Tullamore, Ireland. She will also be fondly remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She will be sorely missed. 

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at St. Dennis Church (4718 Worcester Dr SW, Calgary, AB ) on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Dennis Church (4718 Worcester Dr SW, Calgary, AB ) on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Dennis Church (4718 Worcester Dr SW, Calgary, AB ) on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Rockyview Garden of Peace Cemetery. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Mary’s family here.

In living memory of Mary Brigid Luyben, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.