Mary Isabel Imhoff (nee Davies) passed peacefully away at the Foyer Notre Dame de Lourdes on December 7, 2025 in her 98th year. Predeceased by her husband Gerald in 2013 and her eldest daughter Wendy in 2007, she is survived by eight children: Barry (Donna), June Tebo (Murray), Audrey Renwick (Glen), Heather (Chuck), Brad (Ulinda), Chris (Shelly), Kim (Darcy) and Jodi (Daren) also leaving to mourn 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She loved to have her great grandchildren call her GG. She also leaves to morn a sister-in-law Kath.
Mary was predeceased by a brother Wilf and a sister Gwen (late Bill).
Special mention to her many friends among the residents and staff of the Foyer. The staff was particularly kind and caring during her stay and Mary’s family wish to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the special consideration they showered on her - the self-proclaimed queen of the Foyer. They loved to tease her and she revelled in the attention. The family would be remiss not to mention her special friend Diane Jeffrey without whose support during their 45-year friendship she would have been lost. The Reverend Christopher Tapera, her Vicar during her stay at the Foyer, also deserves special thanks for the attention and comfort he brought to Mary. She enjoyed his visits immensely and they gave her great comfort during her final months.
Nineteen year old Mary came to Canada to marry Gerald Imhoff and was one of the last of the women arriving at Halifax Pier 21 after WWII to be considered a war bride, arriving in August of 1947. She was born in Camden Town and grew up in Edmonton, both suburbs of London England, and after such a cosmopolitan start in life, the charms of South Tetagouche were likely initially lost on her, but with the can-do spirit and willingness to press ahead with her life, no matter the obstacles which were her trademark throughout her life, she made a loving home for her nine children on their South Tetagouche farm. Money was scarce but love was plentiful and her children all acknowledge the huge positive influence she had on their lives. She was a rallying point for her children throughout her all too brief stay with us.
Financial circumstance dictated that Mary had to learn how to make many of the clothes her children wore. Her skill in this area was at its apex with her knitting prowess. All of her children sported hand knit sweaters, some of which are still in use some 50 years later. In her late years she expanded her knitting to include her children’s spouses, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. In the last half of her life she took up cross stitch and she took pride in sending to her children, her creations, framed, as Christmas gifts. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were all recipients of her knitted stuffed animals and dolls which were popular and treasured gifts with all 30 of them. Throughout her life she was used to as a knitting consultant by many citizens of South Tetagouche and she took great pride in helping many solve their knitting problems. Mary remains the only person any of her family knew who could knit while she read a book – a skill none of her family has inherited or has witnessed anywhere else.
Mary was active in and remains a lifetime member in the Legion Women’s Auxiliary and the Gloucester County Women’s Institute.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Family Farm in South Tetagouche at a date to be announced at which time all friends and acquaintances are welcome to come and share memories and stories of Mary’s exploits, adventures, follies and favored family discipline practices.
Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. George’s Anglican Church, the Foyer Notre Dame de Lourdes or a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com)
