Mary Ann Campbell

Mary Ann Campbell (nee. Wesley) was born June 8, 1941, in Lethbridge, Alberta. She passed on June 26, 2023, in Lethbridge, Alberta, with her family by her side at the age of 82.

Mary is survived by her sons, Bob Campbell of Fort Macleod, Bryon Campbell of Fort MacLeod, Kelvin Campbell of Fort McMurray, and Darryl Campbell (Wendy Lee) of Fort Macleod; Grandchildren, Leslie Campbell-Volk (Mike Volk), Crystal Reagen (Steve Lau), Tyler Campbell (Nikita Campbell); and Great-Grandchildren, Cayden Holtz, and Wesley Volk. Mary leaves behind a sister-in-law, Kathy Wesley, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mary is predeceased by her husband Gordon Campbell, her parents, George and Annie Wesley, and her brothers Lee Wesley, and Gordon Wesley.

Mary started school in Wrentham. After moving to the ranch west of Granum she attended Granum school where she graduated in 1960. She helped cook meals, helped her mother, and loved to plant flowers. She attended College at Mount Royal to take Administrative Assistant. She had many memories of the ranch; she would have to walk 1 mile after the school bus would drop her off, the fire on the ranch, the brandings, playing with cousins, and going on family picnics with all the Wesley families on Sundays. She would attend baseball games for the Granum White Sox in which George Wesley, her father, owned and operated also known as the Lethbridge White Sox. The various trips to Florida with her parents, and uncles and aunts, cousins. As cousin Connie Wesley said they would love the smell of the oranges when they were processing them in the plant. Florida had many memories for Mary as she would always tell stories and still has most of the exotic fishes hung in her house in Fort Macleod that they caught in Florida. Mary met Gordon in 1961 and they were married on May 12, 1962, in Claresholm, Alberta, at the United Church. Mary and Gordon moved to various locations in Alberta as Gordon's position was a surveyor for Alberta Transportation and building highways. They moved 16 times before moving to Calling Lake where they had a beachfront property with campsites, cabins and a guiding outfit. They moved back and bought the Bodgener place south of Fort Macleod on the Blue Trail. Mary and Gordon raised Polled Hereford Cattle. They sold the place and moved into Fort Macleod where they built a house and started Campbell's Heavy Haulers Trucking Company and worked in the oil patch. Mary started a job at the SDU (Special Development Unit) at the Fort Macleod Hospital assisting each patient in her room where she worked in care. Mary worked there until she retired. Mary had many hobbies, she enjoyed camping in the mountains in the Livingstone Gap area known as the Dutch Creek area with many family friends, her nephew Allen Wesley, and his family.

The Wesley Reunions were a big part of Mary's life each year, the planning would take place with Elaine Wesley, and Connie Wesley. The last Wesley reunion that was held was in 2014 it was a great fun time full of family memories.

Mary enjoyed her sewing immensely as she went to a monthly sewing day at Jan Daley's. Mary made many quilts for many different people from baby quilts to special gifts they were done with much love, and everyone who was lucky enough to receive one knows just how much work she put into each and every one of them. They are like a warm grandma hug every time you warp it around yourself. She sewed many dresses for her Granddaughter Leslie and also many pairs of P.J. pants for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took the time and sewed her own dress for Leslie's Wedding.

Mary was an avid sewer and she taught Leslie how to sew. Mary sewed the name bars on the Mustang Jerseys for 27 years.

Mary's cooking filled not only our bellies but our heart, always a warm meal and a fresh batch of cookies in the oven. This is a cherished memory for Wesley as they baked cookies or muffins at every opportunity.

Mary loved to plant flowers; she would have beautiful flowers in her yard. Mary enjoyed going to many garage sales with her lifetime friend Joann Hildebrand and the coffee visits they would have. Mary enjoyed her lifetime friend, Sue De Smit the times they had with each of the De Smit boys and the Campbell boys growing up, there were many tea times had with Sue and her.

Mary went to many Mustangs hockey games in the 20 years that Gordon was Coaching and supported the Mustangs by attending the door for the home games. She was always there to help Gordon with the hockey team. She continued to help sew the name bars for the team for the last 7 years.

The ranch that we have in the Porcupine Hills is where Mary relaxed and had a cup of coffee. She enjoyed many rides in the side-by-side to check on the cattle. She enjoyed going on rides with Darryl, Leslie, Laura Dekok and Wesley. Mary always loved when all her boys were at home, she loved each one of you dearly. Mary would push her boys to be the best they could be at any endeavours they endured and know which advice to give them in times of need.

Mary had a special bond with all her Grand Children she was at any and every event or concert they were in she would go to many dance recitals of Leslie and Crystals, Ball games for all three especially Tyler as he played Summer Ball and went on to win a Big Tournament in Conrad Montana. Mary never missed any milestones in her Grand Children's lives. Mary loved her Great Grand Children Cayden got to spend 15 years with his G.G., Wesley got to spend 9 wonderful fun-filled years with G.G. Baking cookies together, dying eggs at easter time, having sleepovers, camping together in the Mountains, watching soccer games, Baseball games and especially Wesley's Hockey games she was Wesley's biggest fan she would attend all Wesley's games. She always had kisses and hugs for the boys.

Mary was a genuine soul, first and foremost Mary loved her sons, Mary's Grandchildren made her very proud and her Great-grandsons, Cayden and Wesley were her pride and joy, she cherished them dearly.

Mary was a woman of determination, strength, and dignity. She would know how to guide you in the right direction with the positive kind words that she would say.

Mary was loved and respected by everyone she met, ready to be there as a friend, a grandma, a great grandma, or a mother; whatever role she may have been for you she accepted with pride. Her funny laugh and smile would brighten the room.

Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, our hearts are raw, but none of us, who knew her would not have missed a second of the journey we travelled with her. Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother

A Funeral Service was held at Fort Macleod Community Hall, 301 25 Street, Fort Macleod, Alberta, on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 2:00 PM.

Following the Funeral Service, Mary was laid to rest at Union Cemetery, Fort Macleod, Alberta.

Donation can me made to Fort Macleod Handibus Society, P.O. Box 881, Fort Macleod, AB T0L 0Z0

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