In Loving Memory ~
Just before supper on July 17,2022 our mom, MaryAnn Swierstra slipped off into heaven to join her husband.
MaryAnn was born in Kelowna on May 15, 1936. Her parents lived in Salmon Arm at the time but moved often. During the early years of WW2 grandma and grandpa both worked in the Boeing Factory in Seattle and mom attended a boarding school for 2 years. For the rest of her childhood, they moved frequently between BC and Washington.
She graduated high school in Washington and returned to Canada for Nurses Training at Vancouver General Hospital.
Nursing in Thompson included flying patients to Winnipeg for further treatment. We saw this as a perk since she often stayed overnight and could go shopping.
Eventually the ER became her home base and after they moved to Salmon Arm mom continued to work in Emergency part time (afternoon shifts so she could garden in the mornings).
Mom loved living in Thompson. She loved growing all manner of plants and our yard was like a beautiful park. Mom was very active in the Thompson Horticulture society and Manitoba Hort. Association.
She was a master designer with plant material and loved to teach and encourage others in flower arranging.
From our earliest memories there were extra people in our house visiting mom. She was generally an energizer bunny but could always take the time to lend a listening ear over a cup of coffee. House parties in Thompson meant the whole house got clean and Kathy got moved into Nancy's bedroom to make space for the food room.
It didn't take long after moving to Salmon Arm that mom continued that practice and her hospitality essence flourished again, hosting folks for all manner of occasions.
It's always hard to say goodbye but both mom and dad had such rich and happy lives that they generously shared with anyone who crossed their path. Now they are dancing together through heaven.
Bowers Funeral Home is honored to serve MaryAnn's family.
Words of love and support may be made through her obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Bowers Funeral Home
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