Mary Currie

Bowden

Description

Life and Work

Mary either walks or rides her bicycle wherever she goes. She used to live across from the school and the students named her the "Road Runner" because she could out-walk most of the students.

Once, on a cold day, friends stopped to offer her a ride in their car. Mary's response was, "No thanks, I'm in a hurry!" She never walked at a slow pace, but at what she called a "good clip."

Mary often just helps out by picking up mall or groceries, or doing errands for other seniors. She fondly recalls special friends like Nellie Tealing, Annie Woodal, Peggy Jerrold, Susan Buxton and Mrs. Burton.

She is a member of the Anglican Church, serving as a member of the altar guild. She has been a longtime member of the Bowden Friendship Centre. She has served as secretary on the Bowden Cemetery Board for 43 years. The board decided to recognize her with a plaque. The engraving was misspelled as "Curry." Mary laughed and accepted the plaque with the remark, "That's okay! I'm the spice of life anyway!"
- Elsie Nelson

Born in Nova Scotia in 1908, Mary came to Bowden in 1944. She married Arthur Currie on Robbie Burns Day, 1937. They raised two daughters, Jean and Florrie. She has given many hours to the Bowden Pioneer Museum.

Memoirs

A Letter of Appreciation by Elsie Nelson

I have had the privilege of knowing this special lady for 35 years. Mary, at the age of 88, is a very active person. All of her life, she has given of herself to the sick, to the elderly, and to the less fortunate people in the community.

Mary either walks or rides her bicycle wherever she goes. She used to live across from the school and the students named her the "Road Runner" because she could out-walk most of the students. She never walked at a slow pace, but at what she called a "good clip".

Mary never spends time on idle gossip. She is a really good member of the Anglican Church, taking part in the worship. She has been a longtime member of the Bowden Friendship Centre. Mary has been one of the most generous citizens in giving financial support to all organizations, her church, and other churches as well. It is nothing for Mary to hand out a cheque as high as $300 to what she considers a worthwhile cause such as the Heart Fund, Youth Programs, Cancer and Lung Associations.

Mary is always an "upbeat person" and has the gift of being able to make anyone feel better after talking to her. She has given many hours to the Bowden Museum and has served as Secretary on the Bowden Cemetery Board for a continuous 43 years - and still is!

I call her a trustworthy friend, and a dedicated co-worker.

-Elsie Nelson

Community Involvement and Anecdotes

Community Involvement:

Member of: Bowden Friendship Centre, Rebekaha Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, Anglican Church, Cemetery Board (Secretary 1954-1996), Founding Member of Bowden Historical Society, Birthday Group for close friends. Mary has been dedicated to visiting the down-and-out or anyone in need of help. She very generously financially supports many charities, organizations and youth groups. Mary often just "helps out" by picking up mail or groceries, or doing various errands for other seniors. She fondly recalls special friends from her past including Nellie Tealing, Annie Woodal, Peggy Jerrold, Susan Buxton and Mrs. Burton.

Anecdotes:

Mary has been known over the years for her determination to either bike, or walk, on her various trips around town. Once, on a cold day, friends stopped to offer her a ride in their car. Mary's response was, "No, Thanks! I'm in a hurry!" After her long service with the Cemetery Board it was decided to recognize Mary with a plaque, however on the engraving Currie was misspelled as "Curry." Mary just laughed and accepted the plaque with the remark , "That's okay! I'm the spice of life anyway!"