Obituary of Mary Ann Theaker

August 11, 1924 ~ June 17, 2012 Mary Ann passed away peacefully at Heritage House in Stettler, surrounded by family. Mary Ann’s parents, John and Edna Farnalls, were pioneers near Halkirk, Alberta, where Mary Ann and her four brothers were born. She spent several of her school years living with her Grandfather Theophilus and Aunt Margaret on the present Lazy T Farm and attending Spruce Creek School. Theophilus gave her singing and music lessons and she has enjoyed singing all her life. Mary Ann graduated from Holy Cross School of Nursing in 1946 and began her nursing career with a job in Provost. Her bright red hair and blue eyes caught the eye of a young local farmer, Lorne Theaker. From Provost, she took a job in Prince George and Lorne followed, taking a job in an autobody shop for the winter. In 1949, Mary Ann and Lorne were married at Halkirk, in the home of Mary Ann’s parents. In 1952, they purchased the present Lazy T Farm from Mary Ann’s family. Mary Ann and Lorne raised their five daughters on this lovely piece of land. Mary Ann helped all the girls with voice lessons. She loved to sew and made dresses, leather gloves, purses, jackets and cushions. She enjoyed gardening and all aspects of nature: cloud formations, flowers and birds (there was always a bird book in the kitchen) and nursing sick calves and baby ducks. When Mary Ann and Lorne retired to Stettler, she volunteered at Heritage House, sang in the United Church Choir and enjoyed travelling and camping trips with Lorne. Mary Ann’s memory is cherished by her 5 daughters: Helen (Ian) Whyte of Calgary, Lois (Ion) Buicliu of Victoria, Thelma (Don) Strome of Edmonton, Clara (Tony) Nibourg of Halkirk and Corinne (Michael) Saretsky of Calgary; 12 grandchildren: Peter (Kim), Meg, Arran (Gavin), Sidonie, Jeff (Jenn), Michelle (Des), Ang (Tim), Tom (Lindsay), Jenna, Luke, Lauren and Amy; 4 great grandchildren: Sholeh, Natalie, Alexis and Brooklyn; 1 brother Raymond Farnalls of Calgary and his family; 6 sisters in law: Victoria Halvorson, Violet McGillivray, Mabel Hope, Verna (Bryce) Mailer, Joan (Francis) Hochausen and Jean (Jack) Clipperton and their families; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many dear friends. Mary Ann was pre-deceased by her husband Lorne (2010), infant son Archie, brothers Hugh, Joe, Edgar, brothers-in-law Horace, Ernie and Earl, and sister-in-law Vicki Farnalls. Celebration of Life Service Friday, June 22, 2012 2:00 PM Stettler United Church Stettler, Alberta Memorial donations in memory of Mary Ann gratefully accepted to Stettler United Church, Stettler & District Music Festival or a charity of your choice