Obituary for Mary Ann May (Alexander)
Mary Ann May (nee Alexander)
May 4, 1957 (Ottawa) – June 6, 2022 (Calgary)
It is with much sadness and heartbreak that we announce the sudden passing on Monday, June 6, 2022, of Mary Ann May, wife of Donald Stewart May, daughter of departed Riddell William and Violeta Alexander, sister of James William Alexander, sister-in-law of Beverly Albright Taylor, Carol Bonenfant, nieces Stephanie (Anoop) Sond, Shannon (Tim) Saturno, and great aunt of Arin Sond and Arabella Saturno.
She met the love of her life, Donald, at Canadian Martyrs School where they had their first communion together. Although they separated, they eventually got together in the 1970s. Mary Ann moved to Lake Louise in late 1979 to work at the Lake Louise Inn. Don followed her out west where they settled down in Calgary during the boomtime period and were married in October, 1986. Mary Ann began working at Imperial Oil in 1980. She started in the brown building in downtown Calgary before relocating to the 5th Avenue Plaza. She worked at the Quarry Park Complex before transferring to the Quarry Park Research & Development Laboratory. Her coworkers stated that she was a bubbly, energetic and enthusiastic person always willing to assist and volunteer for special events.
Mary Ann’s love and passion was working out at the fitness center and rollerblading. Her ultimate passion though was running on Calgary’s finest pathways. She loved to run in the coldest of Calgary’s winters.
We would like to give a big THANKS to all the staff that looked after Mary Ann at the Foothills Hospital, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 10th Floor, Ward 103. The kindness, care and compassion that was shown to both Mary Ann and Donald was outstanding. We would like to thank her neurology medical team for keeping the family apprised and explaining in detail Mary Ann’s ongoing condition through conference calls. They informed Donald of every change in her condition. Donald was at her bedside since she entered, holding her hand, providing comfort, and praying for her recovery.
Out of respect for Mary Ann’s wishes, she has been cremated and no Funeral Services will be held. Mary Ann will be buried at a future date in the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, ON.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Ann’s memory to the Foothills Hospital and to Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep –
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain;
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night,
Do not stand at my grave and cry –
I am not there, I did not die.”
Mary Ann will be forever loved and remembered. She will be dearly missed. Her memory will last forever.
To view and share photos, condolences, and memories of Mary Ann, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
May 4, 1957 (Ottawa) – June 6, 2022 (Calgary)
It is with much sadness and heartbreak that we announce the sudden passing on Monday, June 6, 2022, of Mary Ann May, wife of Donald Stewart May, daughter of departed Riddell William and Violeta Alexander, sister of James William Alexander, sister-in-law of Beverly Albright Taylor, Carol Bonenfant, nieces Stephanie (Anoop) Sond, Shannon (Tim) Saturno, and great aunt of Arin Sond and Arabella Saturno.
She met the love of her life, Donald, at Canadian Martyrs School where they had their first communion together. Although they separated, they eventually got together in the 1970s. Mary Ann moved to Lake Louise in late 1979 to work at the Lake Louise Inn. Don followed her out west where they settled down in Calgary during the boomtime period and were married in October, 1986. Mary Ann began working at Imperial Oil in 1980. She started in the brown building in downtown Calgary before relocating to the 5th Avenue Plaza. She worked at the Quarry Park Complex before transferring to the Quarry Park Research & Development Laboratory. Her coworkers stated that she was a bubbly, energetic and enthusiastic person always willing to assist and volunteer for special events.
Mary Ann’s love and passion was working out at the fitness center and rollerblading. Her ultimate passion though was running on Calgary’s finest pathways. She loved to run in the coldest of Calgary’s winters.
We would like to give a big THANKS to all the staff that looked after Mary Ann at the Foothills Hospital, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 10th Floor, Ward 103. The kindness, care and compassion that was shown to both Mary Ann and Donald was outstanding. We would like to thank her neurology medical team for keeping the family apprised and explaining in detail Mary Ann’s ongoing condition through conference calls. They informed Donald of every change in her condition. Donald was at her bedside since she entered, holding her hand, providing comfort, and praying for her recovery.
Out of respect for Mary Ann’s wishes, she has been cremated and no Funeral Services will be held. Mary Ann will be buried at a future date in the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, ON.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Ann’s memory to the Foothills Hospital and to Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep –
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain;
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night,
Do not stand at my grave and cry –
I am not there, I did not die.”
Mary Ann will be forever loved and remembered. She will be dearly missed. Her memory will last forever.
To view and share photos, condolences, and memories of Mary Ann, please visit www.choicememorial.com.