It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Mary Ruth, in her 99th year at Waterford Heights Long Term Care Facility in New Waterford. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Mom was born September 6, 1927 in Lingan and was the daughter of the late Walter and Annie (Ryley) Petrie. She grew up as the youngest with five older brothers and thoroughly enjoyed living beside Lingan Wharf. Mary married Allan (Allie) MacKenzie in 1949 and spent her married life in New Waterford raising six children, Anne Marie (Tim) Schaus, Allister (Doreen), Karen (Nate) Stepner, Betty (Dave) Barrett, Robert and Heather. Later she enjoyed the joy of being the grandmother to 12 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 18. She was affectionally known to all as “SuperNanny”.

She was predeceased by her husband, Allie (1986); son, Robert (1980) and grandson, Michael (2009); brothers, Joseph, Lionel, Douglas, Walter, and Daniel.

With a positive attitude and love of people, she enjoyed a full life well into her nineties. She loved to volunteer for various organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul food bank, Maple Hill Manor, Ladies Auxiliary of K.O.C., Pensioners Hall and also the Girl Guides and Aging Gracefully programs. For these activities, she was recognized several times as Volunteer of the Week.  She was a member of St Leonard’s Parish.

We, the family, would like to express our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff of Waterford Heights whom she considered to be part of her family and also to the individuals from New Waterford Homecare and Meals on Wheels who helped her stay in her home up until last year.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of her Life will be held in late spring with burial to follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery.

Online condolences to the family can be expressed at www.vjmcgillivray.ca and donations can be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society or a charity of your choice.