June 18, 1930 – June 20, 2017
Heaven’s newest angel received her wings on June 20, 2017, surrounded with love from her dear husband, best friend and soul-mate Eugene (Dixie) Franklin, and her loving sons Glenn and Gene. Mary was the best mother-in-law ever of Brenda and Lianne. “Grammie” was cherished by her precious grandchildren Erin and her husband Mathew Evans, Andrew and his partner Meredith Bee, and Arianna.
Mary was born and raised in Woodstock, New Brunswick by her loving parents Verna and Wilbur Nevers. On August 25th , 1951, she married her high-school sweetheart and Dominion of Canada basketball champion, Dixie. Mary and Dixie enjoyed more than 65 years of marriage. Mary will be missed by her beloved sister Dorothy Everett, the late Gerald Everett, her dear nephew Keith Everett, his wife Heather and family Sandy & Mark, Christy, Craig, Thomas & Ashley.
Mary was a kind, gentle spirit with a playful sense of humour, always ready and willing to help. In her younger years, Mary played basketball and was a beautiful, graceful ice skater. She enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren, especially at Christmas and birthdays, and rarely missed any of their sporting events where she cheered them on, and provided “twonies” for goals. Grammie was so happy when the kids called her to drive them home from school, to the pizza shop at lunch, or to J&J’s to pick up hockey or baseball cards. She loved making Sunday roast beef dinners for the family, with her award-winning Lemon Pie for dessert, and then playing games together. She quilted and knit personal creations which she shared with those she cared about. Mary loved weddings and we were fortunate to have her at Erin & Mat’s wedding where she danced and enjoyed the music until 11pm in her beautiful blue dress.
Mary trained to be a legal secretary and worked for many of the lawyers in Kitchener after she and Dixie “emigrated to Upper Canada”, including Justice Coulter Osborne QC. In 1986 Mary started working full-time for the family business “Upholsteries by Dixie”, to do whatever was needed including the books, banking, bringing orders across the US border, and assisting Dixie and Glenn who provide 1930’s Ford parts and upholstery kits to customers all over the world. Mary spent many hours in the garage, upholstery shop and at flea markets with the guys.
Recent years have been hard for Mary who suffered from Alzheimer’s but she was lovingly cared for at home by Dixie with amazing help from Gene and Glenn. The family is very grateful to the care-workers who assisted with Mary’s care at home, and the caring staff at Parkwood Mennonite Home where Mary was so fortunate to spend her last weeks. The family is following Mary’s wishes as to cremation and no funeral service. A celebration of life to remember fun-loving Mary will follow at a later date. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or Parkwood Mennonite Home in Mary’s memory would be appreciated by the family.
Heaven’s newest angel received her wings on June 20, 2017, surrounded with love from her dear husband, best friend and soul-mate Eugene (Dixie) Franklin, and her loving sons Glenn and Gene. Mary was the best mother-in-law ever of Brenda and Lianne. “Grammie” was cherished by her precious grandchildren Erin and her husband Mathew Evans, Andrew and his partner Meredith Bee, and Arianna.
Mary was born and raised in Woodstock, New Brunswick by her loving parents Verna and Wilbur Nevers. On August 25th , 1951, she married her high-school sweetheart and Dominion of Canada basketball champion, Dixie. Mary and Dixie enjoyed more than 65 years of marriage. Mary will be missed by her beloved sister Dorothy Everett, the late Gerald Everett, her dear nephew Keith Everett, his wife Heather and family Sandy & Mark, Christy, Craig, Thomas & Ashley.
Mary was a kind, gentle spirit with a playful sense of humour, always ready and willing to help. In her younger years, Mary played basketball and was a beautiful, graceful ice skater. She enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren, especially at Christmas and birthdays, and rarely missed any of their sporting events where she cheered them on, and provided “twonies” for goals. Grammie was so happy when the kids called her to drive them home from school, to the pizza shop at lunch, or to J&J’s to pick up hockey or baseball cards. She loved making Sunday roast beef dinners for the family, with her award-winning Lemon Pie for dessert, and then playing games together. She quilted and knit personal creations which she shared with those she cared about. Mary loved weddings and we were fortunate to have her at Erin & Mat’s wedding where she danced and enjoyed the music until 11pm in her beautiful blue dress.
Mary trained to be a legal secretary and worked for many of the lawyers in Kitchener after she and Dixie “emigrated to Upper Canada”, including Justice Coulter Osborne QC. In 1986 Mary started working full-time for the family business “Upholsteries by Dixie”, to do whatever was needed including the books, banking, bringing orders across the US border, and assisting Dixie and Glenn who provide 1930’s Ford parts and upholstery kits to customers all over the world. Mary spent many hours in the garage, upholstery shop and at flea markets with the guys.
Recent years have been hard for Mary who suffered from Alzheimer’s but she was lovingly cared for at home by Dixie with amazing help from Gene and Glenn. The family is very grateful to the care-workers who assisted with Mary’s care at home, and the caring staff at Parkwood Mennonite Home where Mary was so fortunate to spend her last weeks. The family is following Mary’s wishes as to cremation and no funeral service. A celebration of life to remember fun-loving Mary will follow at a later date. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or Parkwood Mennonite Home in Mary’s memory would be appreciated by the family.
