Mary Read McInnes, Halifax and Little Harbour, NS.
After a life well-lived, Mary Read McInnes passed away peacefully on April 4 th in the Halifax Infirmary Site QEII. Born Mary Douglas in New Glasgow NS in 1928 to parents Robert A. Douglas and Isa (DeMing) Douglas, Mary was a proud ‘daughter of Pictou County’. After grade eleven, Mary attended Mount Allison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Chemistry. Upon graduation, Mary moved to Halifax and took a job in the laboratory of the Fisheries Research Institute. In 1954 she married Russell Webber of Halifax and raised three children in their Rockingham home: sons Douglas and Andrew Webber and daughter Joanne Webber. While raising her children, Mary was active in bridge clubs, bowling, charitable organizations, and with curling on the local and provincial level. In the mid-1970’s she held a part-time job in retail while managing three teenagers.
In 1979 Mary married Peter McInnes of Halifax and a few years later they moved to Point Forty-Four in Little Harbour, Pictou County. From their home there Mary and Peter boated, entertained, travelled, and thoroughly enjoyed life. Every summer brought enjoyment of the beaches and waters of the Northumberland Strait, and for a few weeks each winter they travelled to somewhere warm, eventually settling into a time-share in Aruba. Mary was an expert cribbage and bridge player and never liked to miss an opportunity to prove it. She also enjoyed a glass of white wine with the ladies, or on occasion, a rum and water with the men. Mary was a whiz in financial matters and was a successful stock market investor. To keep her mind active, she took part-time jobs in tax return preparation for H&R Block and Steele & Cleveland. Even when surrounded by "salty" characters, Mary remained a true lady, and throughout her long life was never once known to have uttered coarse language.
After Peter’s death in 2008 Mary continued to live in Little Harbour, spending much of the summer at Melmerby Beach, in the beloved family cottage she had attended since she was a girl. Of the many places Mary had spent time, it was her time at Melmerby she loved the most. In 2015, after eight years of living alone, Mary moved back to Halifax, taking up residence in Parkland at the Gardens. Mary thrived at Parkland and enjoyed both her independent living apartment as well as the warm social atmosphere. She was very popular with the staff and residents alike and was well taken care of in every way. She never liked to miss a bridge game or a social event. Although she appreciated the help she received from everyone at Parkland, she was especially grateful for the kindness and support of her dear friend Margaret Burley.
In addition to Doug (Dorothy), Andy, and Joanne, Mary is survived by her grandchildren, Scott and Alanna Thornhill, nieces Heather and Libby Douglas, nephew Rob Douglas (Donna), and her dear sister-in-law Edna Douglas. She was predeceased by her parents and her twin brother John T. Douglas.
By Mary’s request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation is to take place and a private family graveside service is to be conducted at a later date. Mary is to be interred beside her husband Peter in Little Harbour, Pictou County. Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Little Harbour Presbyterian Church or Mount Allison University.