It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, nana, and great nana. Mary-Lou has joined her beloved husband Frank, daughter Susie and grandson Daniel in heaven. She leaves her loving family: daughters, Jeannie Carlson (Wayne) and Deborah Browne (Bo): grandchildren, Crystal Carlson, Matthew Carlson (Chelsea), Tara Beier (Dennis), Ashley Apted (Justin), Morgan Wright (Sean), Dr. Sebastian Brown and Nicole Gendive: great- grandchildren, David, Kye, Tyler, Simon, Summer, Ava, Quin, Lennon, River, and Austin: special brother and sister-in-law Peter and Sharon Bishop: sisters-in-law, Annie Janusonis and Eileen Noske (Derek): special nieces, Angela Janusonis, Barbara Bishop and Roswitha Eckert (Austria), along with other loving family and friends. Katherene Newton, Diane Boudreau, Bonnie Unke, Marilyn Bojko, Annmarie Hart, and Thea Cox were lovingly referred to by Mary-Lou as her “adoptive daughters.” A special place in her heart.
Mary-Lou will be greatly missed by her friends and staff at the Alexander Mackie Lodge. She loved spending her days working in the garden along side her gardening buddies. It was a garden created by her vision and hope during the pandemic that one day living life would return once again, coming together in a place filled with beauty. It was a garden made with love for all to enjoy. She loved the Spring when all new life appeared, seeing plants come to life like the birth of a new baby. She left the garden in full bloom.
Mary-Lou was an active and energetic woman. In her early years she was involved in Girl Guides (Lefty), remaining close friends with Barb Phillipson (Captain). She was a CWL member, served as a Eucharistic minister, worked with Women in Need, visited the sick, read with children in the schools, volunteered for L.A. Legions, VGH Gift shop, St. Vincent de Paul and managed the Tuck shop at Alexander Mackie Lodge. She went back to school in her fifties and went on to work as an Educational Assistant with special needs children in the schools. She loved travelling, Hawaii being the closest to her heart. If she wasn’t swimming in Shawnigan Lake, she was busy baking or gardening. She loved music, theatre, watching sports and was a great fan of the Vancouver Canucks. Family and her faith were Mary-Lou’s strongest values. Her love was endless for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was so proud of them in everything they achieved. She inspired everyone around her with her ability to embrace and celebrate life. Her generous, kind spirit will always live on.
Many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff on 4 South VGH who provided excellent care for Mary-Lou as well as supporting our family.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish, at 11:00 am, November 3, 2022, Father Sean Flynn officiating. Celebration of Mary-Lou’s Life to follow at Olympic View Golf Club at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Covenant House (Vancouver), Anawin House (Victoria) or St. Vincent de Paul (Langford).
For those unable to attend in person, you are invited to attend virtually, via livestream, by clicking the following link.
Condolences may be offered to family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Ron Warren
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Grace White It was a pleasure to have known Mary Lou. I worked with her at St. Vincent de Paul. She was so full of energy and always positive. She was a real spit fire! No job was too big for her. I attended her 80th birthday celebration which she hosted. I could see the close connections and love she had for everyone there. I only hope I can reflect some of her in me as I grow older. Miss you Mary Lou
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Cathy Cote To the Konrath Family,
Rene, myself and our family, would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to your entire family. Auntie Mary was a very vibrant lady always knowing what was happening with her children, grandchildren and extended family. May all your memories help you through this difficult time.
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Connie Anderson On behalf of the Creelman family I want to extend heartfelt condolences to the Konraths. From one View Royal Family to another , Mary-Lou and my father Everett were View Royal originals. Devoted to their families & community. How fitting that their obituaries appear side by side in Sunday’s Times Colonist. Sending prayers & hugs to you all.
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gary carlson To Mary Lou’s family – a very loving lady. I will never forget the good times Susie and I had with her and Frank. Thankyou Marylou, with love Gary Carlson
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Myrna Forland What a beautiful tribute to an amazing lady. She was adored and loved by many and led a full and active life. How much better does it get!??? You will be greatly missed MaryLou. R.I.P. now for a life well llived.
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Bonnie Unke I will always be comforted by my memories of MaryLou’s kindness, generosity and loving acts towards me.
Hello, I am emailing on behalf of Ron Warren.
He would like to express his condolences to the family that has been left behind in sorrow.
Prayers are said to the family.
With solidarity and gratitude,
Eugene