Mary Isabella (Waters) Pearson

Mary was born in Drumheller to Harvey and Isabella Waters of Morrin.  With the sudden passing of her mother only days after her birth, it was decided Mary would be raised by her Grandparents, Annie and John Grieve of Nacmine.  Mary spent weekends and holidays with her father and five older siblings until she was six years old and moved home permanently so she could start school in Morrin.  Her sister, Anne, and brothers, Sam, Bill, Jim and Fred were very protective of each other but especially of Mary.  They were incredibly close throughout their lives no matter where they lived in the world.

While growing up, Mary also spent a great deal of time with her aunt and uncle, Rose and Roy Waters. Rose was a huge influence in Mary’s life and taught her the basics of baking, sewing and pickling. There was also the added bonus of helping to raise her two cousins, Louise and Beth, who Mary thought the world of and remained very close to.

After graduating from High School in Drumheller, Mary worked at the Bank of Montreal for several years.  She met Roger Pearson of Delia at a dance and soon they literally began making beautiful music together as they played for old time dances around the country with their band the Valley Ramblers, Mary playing the piano and Roger the fiddle and mandolin.  Their friendship bloomed to love and they were married in 1959. 

 Mary and Roger lived on their mixed farm east of Michichi, where they grew grain, raised cattle, pigs, chickens, and had two massive gardens.  Two children completed their family; Jim was born in 1961 and Carmen in 1964.  Mary loved being a mom and instilled the joy of cooking, baking, gardening and music into them as they grew up.

After selling the family farm and moving into Delia, both Mary and Roger became very involved with the Delia Historical Society.  The accomplishments they helped the society achieve are long and detailed but she loved volunteering in the Delia Museum and working at all the fundraisers. 

The greatest joy in her life were her three grandchildren.  She loved them fiercely and if they needed her, she was there for them no questions asked.   The memories she created with them baking, reading, making up stories and songs, are numerous and treasured. 

Mary was sweet, kind, generous and always worrying about everyone else except herself. She met every challenge in her life head on and without complaint. She leaves to mourn her daughter Carmen (Darren) Davis, grandchildren Rees, Mason and Sloane (Riley), brother Jim Waters, sister-in-law Laura Waters, cousin Louise (Roy) Parry, several nieces and nephews and many good friends.  She was predeceased by her husband, Roger, in 2015 and son, Jim, in 2018.

A service celebrating Mary’s life will be held at the Knox United Church in Drumheller, August 12, 2023 at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests her memory be honoured by contributions to one of the charities below:

Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (http://cpff.ca/get-involved/donate/)

Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre (https://aspirespecialneeds.ca/ways-to-give/)

Canadian Cancer Society (https://cancer.ca/en/)

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