Monday, March 4, 2019 at 12:00 a.m.
McLafferty, Marie Anne
MARIE ANNE MCLAFFERTY, the Original Irish Washerwoman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a brief illness on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the age of 95 years.
MARIE ANNE MCLAFFERTY, the Original Irish Washerwoman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family after a brief illness on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the age of 95 years.
Mom was born in Bellevue, in the Blue Canadian Rockies, on April 22, 1923.
She married Hugh Patrick McLafferty on October 30, 1946. For 65 years, they had a special bond and were forever a team, first living in Bellevue and then moving to Lethbridge in 1955 after the mines closed.
Mom was the perpetual worker bee and, to this day, thinks her retired daughters should have jobs.
Upon her retirement in 1985 from Microtel (Automatic Electric), she and Hugh began a new life in Calgary. They built a beautiful new home with new adventures in mind. They were very active with ballroom dancing, exploring Calgary and following the family in their athletic pursuits, as they were their biggest fans. In 2003, they returned to Lethbridge to be closer to their growing extended family.
After Dad passed away in 2011, Mom - though legally blind - continued to live independently at Martha's House and participated in the weekly blind bowling league. She was full of energy; she would walk the halls with her pedometer and count the miles. She was always entertaining people with her witty remarks. Everyone has heard her say, "Go straight home and don't talk to strangers!"
Our "Special Mom and Grandma", who was so proud of her family, will be forever missed by her daughters: Sheryl Holthe of Lethbridge and Colleen (Grant) Frier of Blairmore; her granddaughters, Kelly (Tom) Mortlock of Medicine Hat and Shannon (Cheyno) Finnie of Lethbridge; her seven great-grandchildren, Marcus, Russell, Nathyn and Jordan Mortlock of Medicine Hat and Marshall, Emmitt and Payton Finnie of Lethbridge.
Mom is also survived by her favourite younger sister, Eileen Jensen of Calgary.
She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Ron Holthe of Lethbridge, in 2010.
Mom will be forever remembered as a feisty, tiny woman. As she always said, "Good things come in small packages" and she was dynamite!
Mom's Irish eyes were always smiling
Her death leaves a heartache no one can heal
Her love leaves a memory no one can steal
A special thank-you to the awesome staff on 4C at the Chinook Regional Hospital for the wonderful comforting care and to her new friend, Susan, for the laughter and kindness.
As per Mom's wishes, there will be a private family gathering.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Southern Alberta (Lethbridge Chapter): #507, 740 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0N9 or to the Lethbridge Association of the Blind: 2905 - 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 0R2.
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Marie was a joy to know and I will never forget how she brightened my days working at Martha's House. Her keen sense of humor and wonderful laugh were such a joy to listen to everyday. I will miss her so much! You will live on in my heart forever!
Hilda & I are sending out thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Auntie Marie's passing. You couldn't have found a more animated, funny and loving lady that could brighten up a dull room. I'm thankful to have known her and uncle when they were young enough and I was old enough to appreciate their love and humour that was the both them God bless you all at this time, there's a new star in the sky now ?