August 28, 1933 - December 31, 2023
On December 31, 2023, Mary Joan Rocher, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed with loved ones by her side. She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Harold and Hazel; siblings, Lilian, Bud, Roy, and Bill, her husband Johnny and her son Leslie.
Mary was born on August 28, 1933, in North Vancouver to Harold and Hazel Pybus and enjoyed her childhood with her many siblings. In her early twenties, Mary met Johnny at a dance in North Vancouver. They continued their courtship through letters, until Mary decided to join Johnny on an adventure North, sealing their love with marriage on July 7, 1956, in Hay River, NT.
Eventually they would move to Yellowknife, NT. Mary and Johnny worked hard and built a beautiful life together. Although times could be tough, they became successful entrepreneurs while raising their three children, Leslie, Larry and Jeannie.
Mary lived a full and active life. She enjoyed listening and dancing to live music and was often the life of the party with her costumes, tambourines and spoons! Mary put in many volunteer hours with the Ladies Auxiliary, at one time serving as president; and was honoured with a lifetime membership with the Royal Canadian Legion. People still talk about Mary's Special Draw from the meat raffles. Above all else Mary loved spending time surrounded by family and friends. Her greatest accomplishment was her family which she was incredibly proud of.
Mary leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience. She will be dearly missed by her children, Jeannie (Yves) and Larry; grandchildren, Gabriel (Kim), Jessie (Robert), Jessica, Michelle (Roger), Lindsey (Christina), Jacqueline (Kaivan), Bonnie (Laurent), Joshua (Sneha), Lorna (Rodney), and Leslie; and sixteen great-grandchildren, extended family in Yellowknife, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, along with countless friends who became family over the years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday January 12th at the St. Patrick's Parish Church, with a Celebration of Life to follow at the upper level of the Yellowknife Elks Lodge.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Yellowknife Community Foundation in honour of Mary Rocher.