We are profoundly saddened to announce the passing of Mary Ann Little at St. Joseph’s Hospital on November 15, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was predeceased by her father Jim Little and brother Jimmy Little.
Mary is survived and forever missed by Jack Scott; her mother Eula Little; sister Nancy Little; son Amos Ashurst (Aura Haydon, Willum and Iliza); daughters Jaime Ashurst (Lucas Schuller, Hazel), Erin Ashurst (Riley and Ethan); grandsons Riley and Ethan Ashurst; Zoa Scott (Lise), Jordan Scott (Marina); Rachel Scott. Mary is also survived by family in Burns Lake, Seattle Wash. and Texas.
Mary was born in Seattle, Wash. to Jim and Eula Little. She had many fond memories of growing up in the city with frequent family vacations to the Tuck family farm in Texas. She completed her schooling there, and later received her B.A. at C.W.S.C. in Seattle.
Mary’s employment history was diverse in the early years, lab worker, clothing retail, fruit picker, bartender, forestry worker to name a few. After immigrating to Canada and joyfully becoming a mother of 3, Mary attended UBC to complete her Teaching Certificate. She taught in Burns Lake and then, moving to the coast, she taught with the Campbell River District until her retirement. Mary had nothing but respect and admiration for her CR colleagues.
Mary had a lifelong interest in how people learned. She always looked for ways to best reach students, especially those marginalized by personal challenges.
Mary spent the last 12 years of life totally committed to loving and assisting her grandsons, Ethan and Riley, with their education. She eventually became a firm believer and avid supporter of Nides/Navigator as the perfect solution. The inclusive setting and self-directed format woven with family involvement was an ideal fit.
Mary was an extremely private, caring, alpha woman, a quiet, humble leader that sought the truth in life.
Mary was an advocate for traveling lightly through her world, a minimalist forever conscious of the waste and excesses. She was always happiest with her hands in the earth, working soil, planning and planting future gardens to harvest or simply enjoying the visual feast of her landscape.
We would like to thank Dr. Janet Green, Emergency and 3rd floor nurses at St. Joseph's for their care, compassion and support for Mary and family. We would also like to send a heartfelt thank you to Monika, Sally, Janice and the Merville Grandmothers for being Mary’s friend and support network as well as for feeding and nurturing us through our loss.
Mary Little’s Opus would have been composed between the space and timing of the waves, a mother’s love and tide changing strength for family forming the rhythm by which all else follows, her passionate commitment to empower her students the pitch and slope of the swells in her sea, her mission to assist each individual to find their perfect note, to make their unique song, breaking forward to embrace the contours of their own shore.
Our compass, our glue, forever in our hearts. We love and miss you.
At Mary’s request there will be a gathering of family, close friends and the Merville Grandmothers at our home on Sat. Dec. 5, 1:00-3:00pm. A community gathering will be announced at a later date.
Flowers gratefully declined, if you wish to donate please do so in Mary’s honor to the Merville Grandmothers quest to raise funds for the children of Africa, through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.