MARY REMPEL, beloved wife of Peter Rempel of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on July 29, 2020 at the age of 88 years.

Along with her husband, Mary is lovingly remembered by her five children: Ria (Ken) Frances, David (Kerry) Rempel, Wilma (Rick) Enns, Irene Rempel and Vivien (Phil) Sharp; 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Helen (Walter) Neufeld, Martha and Art Retzlaff, Harriet (Bill) Rempel and Marie and Cliff Hamm as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her son-in-law Tom, several nieces and nephews and all of her siblings. She was the last survivor of her birth family.

Mary was born September 30, 1931 to her parents Peter and Maria Neufeld. She moved to Rosemary, AB as an infant and lived there until she was 79 years old, at which time she moved to Coaldale. Mary was the last survivor of her birth family.

Mary was a warm, loving woman. She loved to read and had an almost photographic memory of stories. She loved to tell the stories that she had read to her family while working together. Mary had numerous hobbies and loved to garden, knit, crochet, embroider and needlepoint. Much time was given to these hobbies while listening to sermons or books. Her faith was very integral to her being; she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour at the age of 19 and her faith in Jesus Christ shaped her life and her relationships. Mary realized that faith is a journey and not a destination and she enjoyed the journey. She looked forward to going to heaven and desired that each member of her family have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Mary's prayer list was very long; we joked that the only way she stopped praying for someone was when they died.

Mary was a very capable person. She started working off of the farm at the age of 40 as a cook at Bud's Restaurant in Bassano, then at Brooks Nursing Home. She later became a bookkeeper, first at Brooks Co-op and then for several other businesses. Mary loved to do income tax for friends and family!!!

With driving becoming more challenging, the move to Coaldale happened in 2011. This was a precious time together with Vivien and her family. December 2012 found Mary and Peter moving into Sunny South Lodge, where they have lived since and where new friendships were made.

These past eight months have been very challenging for Mary. Covid-19 did not kill her but she was a casualty of the lockdown. Mary struggled mentally, physically and emotionally by not being able to see her beloved family.

Our thanks go to the friends and family who kept in touch, even when Mary and Peter moved to Coaldale. A special thank you to Dr. Benke, Dr. Justin Steed, Kristin (HC) and the staff of Sunny South Lodge, who loved Mary and cared for her so lovingly these past months. Thank you to Dr. Sailendra, Dr. Thibadou, the ER staff and the staff of 4C for their care of Mary this past week. Thank you to pastors Gary Burke, Lil Thompson and Jake Unrau for their spiritual quidance over the years.

Since we are not allowed to hug each other, funeral arrangements are postponed indefinitely.