CANNINGS, Mary Jean (nee Wood)
March 31, 1930 – August 11, 2014
Mary passed away peacefully at Agape Hospice in Calgary, Alberta, after a long fight against multiple myeloma. She is survived by her husband Edwin Cannings of Airdrie, daughter Sandy Duncan of Phoenix, Arizona, and son David (Linda) Cannings of Edmonton, Alberta. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Michael (Carrie) Duncan of Athabasca, Jodi (Ryan) Paulgaard of Airdrie, Donny (Krista) Duncan of Swift Current, SK, Jennifer (Ryan) Hoople of Edmonton, and Sherri Cannings of Edmonton. Mary was also blessed with 10 great grandchildren: Lucas, Jake, Hailey and Steele Duncan, Karley and Carson Paulgaard, Graison and Gage Duncan, and Addison and Avery Hoople. She will also be missed by her sister in law Joan Datchko of Houston, Texas, brothers in law Sidney (Dorothy) Cannings of Bowden and Raymond (Sylvia) Cannings of Carbon, as well as many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Isabella Wood (Elliot) and her older brothers, Albert Wood and John Wood and her husband, Donald Milton. Mary was one of the first married women to graduate the Calgary General Hospital nursing program in 1952, where she was her class valedictorian. She enjoyed a fulfilling nursing career throughout Alberta – after which she went back to school to the University of Alberta to get her bachelor degree in Nursing (Public Health) and she later went on to teach in that program. She then left that vocation to work with Ed building homes in the Edmonton area. Mary and Ed made the decision to retire at the age of 50 – they wintered in Phoenix and spent the rest of their time with friends and family at their home in Carbon, Alberta. Mary enjoyed golf, reading, travelling, her time in Phoenix and spending time with her friends and family. In 2000, Mary’s true passion came to fruition – the Wellness Centre was born. She lobbied the Alberta Government and local health regions to come up with the funding to provide wellness services to the Kneehill area: Carbon, Acme, Linden and Torrington. She led a dedicated group of volunteers and medical professionals to care for the rural people of this area – she identified the need for health services for Albertans living in rural areas, and worked to provide this service for them. Mary continued with this work until shortly before her passing, and she will be sorely missed by her Wellness Centre colleagues. A memorial service will be held at the Acme Community Hall on August 25, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to: Kneehill Area Wellness Centre, PO Box 2847, Three Hills, AB T0M 2A0.