In Loving Memory of

Mary Hull

(Maiden: Borthwick)
Jun 4, 1927 - Jul 4, 2018

HULL, Mary (nee Borthwick) June 4, 1927 – July 4, 2018 Mary (Borthwick) Hull passed away peacefully, and in her own home, one month after her 91st birthday. To the end of her days she was an independent and spirited woman whose smile could light up a room. Matriarch, child advocate, classic movie buff and mentor to many, Mary is lovingly remembered by daughter Deborah Rae (Robert); son George (Marion); grandsons Geoffrey and Jason (Lisa) and their mother Beryl; two bright-eyed great grandsons Leif and Zayne; sister Jessie and her family; and Mary’s nephews and their families in the U.K.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 4, 1927 to Flora and John Borthwick, Mary had three beloved sisters, Jessie, Joan and Joyce. She was educated and trained as a Nursery Nurse before immigrating to Canada and settling in Alberta where she grew to love the sunny blue skies. A passionate advocate for children, Mary was on the front lines of formulating quality day care standards for the City of Edmonton with the Department of Social Services.

In 1966, she became Executive Director of the city’s first municipally funded non-profit centre. The Community Day Nursery was a model centre that set the bar high for others to follow, and hundreds of children and families knew it as a magical place that was well ahead of its time in the field of early childhood development.

Mary got to know everyone who came through the nursery’s doors – from toddlers to grandparents, taking an active interest in what was happening in their lives. She was entirely committed to the principle that non-profit quality childcare is a public service, and an intelligent investment in our nation’s present and future.

Even well after retirement, Mary continued to hear from parents and children - and from former staff and board members who became good friends. Shirley, Lorna, and Linda-Sue, Deborah, Tony, Pamela and Irene will greatly miss their visits and phone calls. So will many other dear friends who enjoyed a chat and a good laugh with her.

Mary had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of style. Despite dealing with a debilitating chronic illness for close to a decade, she could still enjoy putting on a great pair of shoes or a new jacket. If a piece of chocolate was close by – that only made it better.

Mary loved her family and her home. A network of friends and neighbours, longtime caregivers Rita and Dana (and later Jane, Carla, Cristin, Tonya, Melody and Nida), Jenny and other health care providers, Drs. Cahill and Dusang, and her local pharmacy – in a word, her community – helped make it possible for Mary to remain in her home and living life on her own terms. Her family will be forever grateful for this gift of friendship and support.

Mary requested that no Funeral be held. Instead, a Celebration of Life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Foster & McGarvey Funeral Home. Your kind remembrance of Mary is enough but should you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make it to a children’s charity of your choice.