Obituary

On September 13, 2022, Mrs. Mary Desmond of Daysland, formerly of Spedden, passed away at the age of 93 years. She is survived by her 3 sons & 1 daughter, Lyle (Doreen) Desmond of Legal, Bruce (Marion) Desmond of St. Paul, Rodney (Cheryl) Desmond of Boyne Lake & Linda (Brian) Simpson of Daysland; 10 grandchildren, Shawna, Nathan, Kevin, Peter, Andrew, Adam, Vicky, Sarah, Kim & Robyn; 4 great-grandchildren, Spencer, Lexi, Charity & Parker; 2 brothers, Neil McDougall of Sturgeon County & Norman McDougall of Bon Accord; sister, Nellie Wagoner of Whitecourt; 3 sisters-in-law, Audrey McDougall, Louise McDougall & Linda McDougall; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & friends. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Stanley Desmond; parents, Donald Lisle & Jean McDougall; her in-laws, Hart & Nellie Desmond; brothers, Alexander, William “Bill”, Donald, Charles & Noel; sisters, Jessie McDonough, Dorothy Waters, Violet “Vi” Black, Laura McDougall & Nora Rilling.

Mary’s life of hard work began on the family farm near Loverna, SK, where she was born on November 8, 1928. During the dirty thirties, her family relocated to Glenevis, AB, when she was eight. She moved to Edmonton at fourteen to work and help her family during the destitute years. In 1952 she married Thomas Stanley Desmond and moved to Spedden, where she raised her family and farmed. As the children grew and the farm work became more automated, she expanded her talents and hobbies as “Idle hands were a transgression”. Widowed at fifty-four, she filled her time babysitting grandchildren, gardening and discovering senior games. Mary loved floor curling, and even in her later years with very little mobility, she continued to play until the last few months. Always very generous with her talents and time, Mary supported her community, especially the United Church in Ashmont. Due to failing health in 2015, she relocated to Daysland, where she made a new life for herself, making new friends. Her life was a testimony to her deep and abiding faith and Christian principles as she touched many hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Ashmont Agriplex (4019 Agriplex Road), Ashmont. Reverend Deanna Cox will be officiating, with interment in Ashmont Community Cemetery, Ashmont. Cremation has taken place. Those wishing to view Mary’s service online may do so by clicking the Live Service tab above. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice c/o 5626-51Stree, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1. To send condolences online, please visit www.gracegardensfuneralchapel.com.

GRACE GARDENS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5626 – 51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1 780-645-2677