After a long and productive life, Mary Anne Kissel died peacefully at South Granville Park Lodge on September 12, 2023, just days short of her 104th birthday. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she moved to Vancouver after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree, where she had a long career with Air Canada, latterly working on the travel desk. She travelled to many, many parts of the world as part of her job, and maintained an avid interest in other cultures and histories. A big supporter of post-secondary education, Mary Anne was widely read, and also known for her deep faith and her love of gardening, and cooking.
Mary Anne was predeceased by her parents, her much loved older sister, Jean (and husband Gordon); brother’s Joseph (and wife Helen); Michael (and wife Anne), nieces Mary Jean and Barbara. She will be remembered by several other nephews, a niece and multiple great - and great grand - nieces and nephews in BC, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as many friends in her Point Grey neighbourhood, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, and her volunteer activities over the years.
Mary Anne was very generous to her friends, neighbours and family members, always sharing meals and reading suggestions. Her nephews remember trips to Bowen Island; swimming in the Kitsilano pool and seeing the highlights of Vancouver when they went to visit her after an adventurous train ride from Winnipeg.
The family would like to thank the staff at South Granville Park Lodge for their excellent and loving care of Mary Anne over the past year. Thank you also to Tony and Linda who continued to visit regularly, run errands for her, and bring her coffee. You brightened her days. Extra special thanks to Lauri Ann F, and family, who gave so much time and love to Mary Anne, and who kept her out of town family up to date. It was such a comfort to us to know that she had this loving support.
Should you be inclined to send flowers, which Mary Anne absolutely loved, we believe that she would prefer donations to bursaries or scholarships to support educational endeavours, or any other charity of your choosing.
Celebration of life will be held at 1100 on Monday, September 18th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, located at 2465 Crown St, Vancouver, BC V6R 3V9 https://olphchurch.ca/ Cremation to follow.