Obituary of Mary Theresa Christie

God saw Mom getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So he put his arms around her

and whispered “come to me”

 

Mom passed away quietly and peacefully with her children by her side at sunset on the evening of October 1, 2020.

 

She will be deeply missed by her son Wayne and her daughters Valerie, Rhonda (Nelson), Darlene and Marlene (Ernie).

 

She was a very proud grandmother to Stephanie (Jeremy) Coby, Isaiah, Ava & Foster Goertz, Erin (Dee) Stockwell, Kristin (Kevin) Lainee, Livy & Lincoln Krall, Tanner (Kim) Brinley & Emberley Stockwell, Bailey (Dan) Brooklyn & Cohen Hautzinger, Tyson (Kelin) Holden & Harvey Goebel, Devon (Matt) Decker & Quinn Leboldus, Taylor (Chelsea) Joey, Bennett & Adaline Christie, Taralyn (Sultan) Reign, Sloan & Arie Nelson, Lyndsay (Evinn) Beck.

 

Mom was the middle child to Jack and Loretta Van Bavel and was raised on a farm east of Strathmore.  She attended Elwood & Namaka Schools.  It was while riding the school bus that she first met the love of her life, reuniting with Dad a few years later at a Saturday night hop at the Legion Hall.  Mom and Dad wed April 18, 1953, the first couple to be married in the newly built Catholic Church.  Mom kept very busy helping Dad on the farm while raising 5 children, especially with the twins being the youngest.  They both held a strong faith in the Catholic Church attending every Sunday in the church they were married in.  Mom & Dad started their married life on the Desmet farm, later moving to a basement suite in Strathmore and then finally settling at the Stead farm to raise their family until their retirement back to Strathmore in 1987.  Mom was a member of the Catholic Woman’s League receiving her 65-year pin as well as a long-standing member of the Crowfoot Community Association and a Leader of the Crowfoot 4-H Sewing Club.  A large garden was planted every year and beef was raised which fed the family year-round.  Mom & Dad spent many hours on the road driving the siblings to various sporting events, 4-H events and many other school and community activities.  Mom and Dad moved to Strathmore in 1987 where Mom became busy babysitting her grandchildren as well as many other children in the community, something she truly loved.

 

Mom touched everyone she met with her kind words and beautiful smile. Mom and Dad resided in the Wheatland Lodge later moving to Sagewood where she formed a loving bond with all her friends & staff who cared for her.  Special thanks to Dr. Piesas and Dr. Young for their great care for both of the them over the years. We hold close to our hearts many precious memories of our beloved Mom, Gramma and Great Gramma.

 

Mom was predeceased by her parents Jack & Loretta Van Bavel and her husband Stan in 2013 and her infant great grandchildren Holden Goebel and Lincoln Krall both in 2016.

 

A viewing for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Wheatland Funeral Home, Strathmore (202 Lakeside Blvd).  Proper covid precautions will be in place. 

 

A private funeral mass by invite only, was celebrated on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. 

 

Mary had a huge devotion to the Rosary. In lieu of a prayer service, we ask that you take a few moments to pray the Rosary in memory of Mary.

 

Interment will follow the Mass at Strathmore Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund (23 Strathmore Lakes Way, Strathmore, AB, T1P 1L7), Wheatland Area Hospice Society (PO Box 2154, Strathmore, AB, T1P 1K2 or online at wheatlandhospice.ca/ways-to-give) or a charity of your choice.