Mary Joyce Dykstra

Mary Joyce Dykstra
December 15, 1935 to November 22, 2024
Born in Englehart, Ontario, entered into rest in Wetaskiwin, Alberta

To all of those who knew Mary, you will never forget her. For those who didn't, let us introduce her.

Mary was dearly loved by her children, Patrick (Christine), Laurie (Garry Dewald), Gregory (Yola), Steven, and Timothy. She will be missed by her loving stepchildren Rollie (Arlene), Rosemary, Tina (Kirk), and all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary had three special friends she practically grew up with: Cathy Kennedy, from Calgary, Jennifer Black, from Goderich, Ontario, and Lena Mochinsky, from Edmonton.

Mary had quite a sense of humour. I have heard that from many people as they offered their condolences. She was never stuck for words. 

Mom was a storyteller. She often spoke of her childhood growing up in Ontario. One time in particular, when she and her sister were around 10 and 12 years old, WW2 was being fought and there was a POW camp not too far from their house. Mom and her sister would take pickles from their pickle barrel and took them to the prisoners, who were around 17 years old. They did this regularly. Their mom one day asked them to get some pickles for dinner. None left; they had to confess. 

Mom loved to read. Sometimes she would have three books going at one time; she must have read thousands in her lifetime. Mom loved to tell us stories. She never read them from a book, but spoke them from her imagination, and what an imagination she had. Her stories were full of magic, adventure, and wonder; just words, but so descriptive. We could see the characters, the backgrounds, surroundings, and hear the music. Mom liked to include lessons and morals in her stories, but they were well disguised in the words she spoke. What a lady she was. 

Mom went to France when she was 17 years old to join my dad while he was there with the Canadian Air Force. Her mom died at the young age of 47, and her father was in the sanitarium with TB for many years, therefore she had her young brother Wayne, who was seven, with her. My eldest brother Patrick was born in France. Two years later they returned to Canada. I was born in Montreal and two years later my brother Greg was born in Clinton, Ontario. Steven and Timothy were a second family, coming 13 years later. 

It wasn't long after that my dad was transferred to Whitehorse. We were there for four years. Mary had her own private daycare. She loved children so much. 

Mary could sew anything. She made can-can dresses for herself and other ladies who were going to Dawson City to dance. She also made can-can dresses for my best friend and me.

We moved to Edmonton and were there for four years. My dad retired from the forces and we then moved to Redway, north of Edmonton. My parents bought a big brick house, three stories high, with 13 bedrooms, and only one bathroom. Mom and Dad opened a coffee shop and gas station there, it was called “Hi-Way 28-50” service.

My dad went to work in Ft. McMurray as a commissioner. This left mom to look after everything. She was a strong woman. In 1969, our three-story brick house burned to the ground. We were all fortunate that no one, including the people who were boarders, and no animals were hurt. Unfortunately, all belongings burned. 

We moved to a little house on a farm near Redwater. We had the Redwater River running in our backyard. This was our source of entertainment and baths in the summer. In the winter we melted snow on the wood stove. We had no power or running water. We did have lanterns and a well. We also had a two-seater outhouse. Mom named it the confessional. We went without a lot, but Mom never let on that we had hardships. She made life fun. We had a pet turkey named Isabelle, and a pet chicken named Cookie. We had cats, dogs, rabbits and a bull named Red. 

After my mom and dad divorced, Mary moved to Wetaskiwin with her new husband Gerry in 1994. They managed the Fort Ethier Lodge until Gerry passed away in 2003. Mary then moved into the Legion Arms where the start of many friendships blossomed. 

Eventually, Mom moved to the Good Shepherd home. She was very happy there. She loved the staff and her fellow residents. Good Shepherd looked after Mom with so much care and love. 

Mom loved animals. All kinds, but especially her little black dog, Jetty. Her last little dog was Nikki. She called her the wicked white witch of Wetaskiwin. I gifted her a puppy four years ago, but little Dolly didn't like living in a senior's home. She lives here with me now. 

I could go on and on about Mary; she was a special lady. She loved playing Battleship and Yahtzee with Gerry. He predeceased her in 2003. Her two sisters, Barbara and Patricia, said their goodbyes many years ago. Mom's grandson, Aaron, and her brother, Wayne, were there to open the gate for her. She is the last of her siblings and will be missed by her family and friends who remain. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wetaskiwin Animal Shelter.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, December 13th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home (4702 Northmount Drive, Wetaskiwin). A privilege exclusively offered for Mary.
 

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