Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon her.

If we live,
we live to the Lord,
and if we die,
we die to the Lord;
so then,
whether we live
or whether we die,
we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8

Surrounded by her three loving daughters, and one granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth (Thornton) Lee died last Sunday evening, 8 July, at home in Perth, Ontario around 8 p.m.; she was 73.

Mary was the widow of the late Rt. Rev. Patrick Lee, Bishop of Rupert’s Land, 1994 – 1999.

She was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer two years ago, but received a course of chemotherapy which enabled her to make a trip with her son-in-law, Rama, and grandchildren Baraka and Amanda, to Tanzania in the spring of 2011.
At some time in 2011 the cancer returned. She underwent further treatment but it was not successful.  Her daughters, even living at a distance, took turns traveling to Perth to care for her over these past several months.

Dean Bob and Janice Osborne, who moved to Stittsville, Ontario, not far from Perth, kept in contact with her and visited Mary regularly to help in whatever way possible.  Dean Bob preached at the memorial service held for Mary in Perth on Friday.

As was done for Bishop Patrick, Mary’s body will travel back to Winnipeg, and the funeral and burial will take place at St. John’s Cathedral. The funeral service and burial in Winnipeg will take place at at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral on Monday, 23 July.

We pray the gift of peace for Suzanne, Sandra, and Laura Anne, and their whole family as they mourn Mary’s death, and give thanks for her life.

Mary was a very special woman, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Now we are grateful that we can entrust her to God’s eternal love and mercy which sustained her all her life long, and in which she faced her death confidently, with faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

If you would like to share your memories or leave your condolences,
please continue to Mary’s obituary, to sign the guest book.