It is with profound sadness that the family of Mary Ellickson announces her passing from this world on Monday, February 26, 2024. Mary was born in Leperstown, Dunmore East, County Waterford, Ireland on October 14, 1936 and was the eldest of six children of the late Nicholas and Bridget (Lil) Sheehan. Mary was raised in the Catholic faith and she remained devoted to those beliefs throughout her life. Mary was a true example of a person whose life was shaped by her Christian beliefs.
Mary immigrated to Canada in 1957 joining her soon to be husband Peter Ellickson. After short stops in Montreal and Chicago, Mary and Peter settled for the rest of their lives in Vancouver joining our Aunt Catherine (Kate) and were soon to be joined by the rest of the Sheehan clan. In Vancouver Mary and Peter raised five boys who were born in rapid succession. Despite the chaos of raising five boys, Mary always had time for family and the many lifelong friends she made in Vancouver, with Irish roots or not, and all of whom she cherished. Mary remained closely connected with our relatives and friends “back home” in Ireland and in England and we know her loss will be felt from afar.
From her boys’ perspective, Mary’s greatest accomplishment was raising them; each of whom believed they were her favourite. But Mary was much more than that. She was a scholar, author, lover of literature and was a lifelong pursuer of knowledge. Mary was the Business Manager of BC Studies, a Quarterly Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, published under the auspices of The University of British Columbia where she worked for 10 years while being both a full-time housewife and mother. Mary finished her working career as the Secretary at St. Augustine’s Catholic School where she lovingly supported the teachers, staff and families of the children. Like in all walks of her life Mary was held in such high regard by those she worked with and for.
Mary was fortunate to meet her soulmate Patrick years after raising her boys and they were able to enjoy some far too short years together before Patrick’s sudden and too soon passing. Mary remained heart broken over the loss of Patrick.
After the death of both Peter and Patrick in July 2012, Mary moved into Tapestry at Arbutus Walk and flourished in the warm, welcoming and safe environment provided by staff and residents. Mary joined numerous groups including music and bible study, but it was the weekly Writer’s Group where she excelled and amazed all with her storytelling, research abilities, and knowledge of poetry and writers; all of which were integrated seamlessly into each week’s assignment and presented in her thoughtful and lyrical writing style.
Mary was loving, ever faithful, kind to a fault, modest, tolerant, open, welcoming, caring and had an enormous heart. Mary loved meeting new people, making and learning of connections, and was a loyal friend to so many. She enriched the lives of all who knew her and similarly felt enriched by those who entered her life. Mary’s passing will forever leave a hole in the hearts of many, including and especially her boys and her siblings with whom she had a deep and loving relationship. She will be dearly and forever missed by her sons James, Nicholas, Peter, Denis and Sean; daughters in law Marian and Marcia; beloved sisters Catherine, Gerry (Greg) and brother Nick (Linda); grandchildren Garcy, Quentin, Georgia, Laurel and Caden; great-grandchildren Vienna, Sunday, Arrow and Noah as well as cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends in Canada, Ireland and England. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of Tapestry, Arbutus Walk. You all enriched Mary’s life and she so loved you and her community at Tapestry. We cannot thank you enough.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Augustine’s Catholic Church at 2028 West 7th Avenue Vancouver on Thursday, March 7, at 11:00 am. Access to the link for live streaming of the Mass is available at: https://youtube.com/live/smZjGw3LTDk