On February 22, 1919 with the help of Dr. Nylko, Andrew and Carry Holland gave birth to daughter Mary Lellen in their family home in Saskatchewan.
Mary was born into a large family as she had eight brothers and four sisters.
She must have enjoyed the large family atmosphere as she herself became mom to seven children and grandma to 19 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.
On August 17, 1944 Mary and Stanley Howard were married in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
They lived in both Saskatchewan and Alberta until 1949 when they moved to B.C. where they permanently settled down.
They spent the first three years in Vavenby B.C. before moving around to different areas of the Cariboo.
After the passing of her husband, Stanley, in November of 1985, Mary moved into the Sunset Manor in Williams Lake where she lived for 19 years until her passing on October 19, 2004.
Mary enjoyed the outdoors and her hobbies included playing ball, sleigh riding, gardening, playing cards, and doing puzzles.
She also had a doll collection which she was extremely proud of.
Grandma loved showing the collection off, but was never shy in letting people know that the dolls were to be looked at, but not to be played with.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all of the people who were friends of Mary.
Also, they would like to acknowledge all of the great friends at Sunset Manor where Mary lived for the last 19 years as well as the efforts of the Home Support Team that helped keep an eye on Mary.
Their efforts along with the support of her family, allowed Mary to enjoy her independence.
Mary is survived by her son Ray Holland and daughter Jean Holland in Kamloops; daughter Rozetta (Floyd) Racher in Williams Lake; daughter Victoria (Kenneth) Fryer in Kamloops; daughter Violet (Carlos) Bellizia in Williams Lake; son Stan (Maureen) Howard in Dawson Creek, son James (Betty) Howard in Kamloops.
She is also survived by her sister Clara Mott in Williams Lake; brother Lawrence Holland in Mission; brother Leonard Holland in Pitt Meadows; 19 grandchildren; and 49 great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her husband Stanley in November 1985; granddaughter April in May 1992; as well as six brothers and three sisters.
Mary Lellen Howard will be sadly missed by her family and all of those who knew her.
The family would like to thank Newfie Connolly for reading the eulogy.