September 4, 1932 - March 8, 2025
Mary Schmelzel passed away peacefully Saturday March 8th surrounded by her family at the age of 92. She was born in Rossland in 1932, moving to Victoria as a young teenager. She started her career as a teacher on her 19th Birthday, accepting a position at a rural 1 room schoolhouse in Prince George, BC. Soon after she met her husband, marrying and having 3 children. She and Doug were avid curlers and members of the IOF. Mary was also an active member of Girl Guides, starting at 6 years old as a Brownie. As an adult she became a lifeguard, Camp Advisor and then a Trefoil Guild member where she gained many lifelong friends and amazing experiences.
Mary and Doug retired to Creston in 1992 and became a beloved member of the Creston community. Having started volunteering in Prince George with blood donor clinics, she continued volunteering for the Red Cross with their Equipment Loan Service in Creston. She served as coordinator for around 30 years, receiving the "Order of The Red Cross" in 2022 for her over 50 years of service. She also served as treasurer for the Seniors Creston Curling League, the Lutheran Church and continued to be involved in Girl Guides. To round out her volunteering spirit, Mary also travelled several times to rural Guatemala on mission trips to work alongside her daughter and husband who were missionaries there. She spear-headed a project providing school bags there of supplies to a school after discovering they had absolutely nothing. The teacher in her had to help!
For fun, Mary loved to backpack and hiked all over BC, Alberta, and even Great Britain. She was a member of the senior's softball team, the "coffin dodgers", a curler, and an avid fan of local theatre. Oh, and of course, she loved to cruise! She especially looked forward to spending a week every summer with her family at Kootenay Lake. She truly was a wonderful woman, inspiring many with her humble, independent spirit. (It was difficult to keep track of her and her many adventures!)
Mary is survived by her son Alan Schmelzel (Nadine), daughters Gail Anderson (Al) and Doreen McAllister (Ralph). Grandchildren Liz (Mike), Barb Anderson and Justine Wilson, Traci Yanishewski (Derek) & Jamie (Colby) McAllister and Brett & Sean (Danielle) Elder. 6 great-grandchildren (Alicia, Garett, Jacques, Charles, Kyle and Luke) and 2 great great grandchildren, Jax and Jonah. She was extremely loved and will be greatly missed.
Saying goodbye to such an amazing person isn't easy, but she had faith and was at peace with the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of two charities dear to her heart, either the Creston Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program c/o Creston Valley Hospital, Bag 3000, Creston, BC V0B 1G0, or The Special Olympics - Creston c/o Lisa Primrose, PO Box 820, Creston, BC V0B 1G0.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Creston Valley Funeral Services.