Obituary for Mary Elizabeth Robson
Robson, Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth Robson (nee Goodwin) passed away peacefully in High River on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Born in High River to Henry Thomas and Grace Crerar on November 1, 1925, Mary lived on the farm NW of town, attended Elite (a one-room school), Eastward school, and graduated from High River High School in 1942. Sadly, her brother James Robertson and father, Henry, both died that same year and her plans for university were altered. Mary worked in banking and law offices in Brooks, High River, and Calgary, where she met William Kenneth Robson (also of High River). They married in 1958 and raised their children Douglas Craig and Kathryn Gayle in Calgary. Ken passed away in 1979. After the birth of Mary’s grand-daughter Emily Clair, Mary returned to High River to live (2010). Mary also leaves behind her daughter-in-law Elaine Lee, son-in-law Douglas Moskaluk, brother-in-law Stan Robson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
As a teenager and young adult, Mary was one of the four founding members of the High River Rangers. Those friendships lasted the rest of their lives. Mary was a loyal member of the Occidental Chapter #12 Order of the Eastern Star for more than 60 years, an active volunteer of the 18th Calgary Scout Group Ladies Auxiliary and later, a dedicated volunteer at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Mary loved to entertain, because she loved her family and friends with such sincerity and gained great joy from a good laugh with good company. In the words of one of the 13 student boarders who she took into her home over the years, “there was no one better to sit at a kitchen table and have a cup of tea with than Mary.” Mary’s cookies were renowned by friends of her children and often stolen from the deep freeze, never thawing to make it to the cookie tin.
Mary taught us about silver linings and landing on our feet, to be authentic, to forgive and offer compassion easily, to allow time to give perspective, and the important value of friendship, which she instilled to all around her.
We are forever grateful to the staff of acute care at High River Hospital who respected Mary’s goals and ultimately made her last weeks of life as comfortable as possible. We are blessed to have experienced such kindness and compassion.
If you wish to make a charitable donation in memory of Mary, please consider the Museum of the Highwood or Friends of the Bar U Ranch Historic Association. An Open House will be held in Mary’s honour at the Culture Centre (251 – 9 Avenue SW, High River, AB) on Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 p.m.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Mary, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Mary Elizabeth Robson (nee Goodwin) passed away peacefully in High River on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Born in High River to Henry Thomas and Grace Crerar on November 1, 1925, Mary lived on the farm NW of town, attended Elite (a one-room school), Eastward school, and graduated from High River High School in 1942. Sadly, her brother James Robertson and father, Henry, both died that same year and her plans for university were altered. Mary worked in banking and law offices in Brooks, High River, and Calgary, where she met William Kenneth Robson (also of High River). They married in 1958 and raised their children Douglas Craig and Kathryn Gayle in Calgary. Ken passed away in 1979. After the birth of Mary’s grand-daughter Emily Clair, Mary returned to High River to live (2010). Mary also leaves behind her daughter-in-law Elaine Lee, son-in-law Douglas Moskaluk, brother-in-law Stan Robson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
As a teenager and young adult, Mary was one of the four founding members of the High River Rangers. Those friendships lasted the rest of their lives. Mary was a loyal member of the Occidental Chapter #12 Order of the Eastern Star for more than 60 years, an active volunteer of the 18th Calgary Scout Group Ladies Auxiliary and later, a dedicated volunteer at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site. Mary loved to entertain, because she loved her family and friends with such sincerity and gained great joy from a good laugh with good company. In the words of one of the 13 student boarders who she took into her home over the years, “there was no one better to sit at a kitchen table and have a cup of tea with than Mary.” Mary’s cookies were renowned by friends of her children and often stolen from the deep freeze, never thawing to make it to the cookie tin.
Mary taught us about silver linings and landing on our feet, to be authentic, to forgive and offer compassion easily, to allow time to give perspective, and the important value of friendship, which she instilled to all around her.
We are forever grateful to the staff of acute care at High River Hospital who respected Mary’s goals and ultimately made her last weeks of life as comfortable as possible. We are blessed to have experienced such kindness and compassion.
If you wish to make a charitable donation in memory of Mary, please consider the Museum of the Highwood or Friends of the Bar U Ranch Historic Association. An Open House will be held in Mary’s honour at the Culture Centre (251 – 9 Avenue SW, High River, AB) on Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 p.m.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Mary, please visit www.choicememorial.com.