Mary Catherine Rogers of Bathurst passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021, in her family home at the age of 101.
Born in 1919 in Campbellton, NB, to parents Donald MacLean and Marjorie Mair MacLean.
Mary was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mary was predeceased by siblings: Edward, Donald, Hugh, Marjorie, Bill, Albert and Jean.
Married in 1943 to Malcolm Harris Rogers, Mom moved to Bathurst and started a family of her own: she is survived by: Donald (Jeannine), Lake Echo, NS; Ernie (Susan), Middle River, NB; Sheila (Mark Neville), Malcolm (Cindy) both of Bathurst, NB; Rosemary (Bruce MacPherson) Salmon Beach, NB. She is survived as well by 15 grandchildren, Nancy, Judy, Joyce, Sean, Zak, Matthew, Jenna, Joshua, Justin, Noah, Alexander, Amy, Katherine, Mary Kate, Elijah and 14 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) MacLean (late, Bill) of Richmond, BC.
Besides her husband, Malcolm, she was pre-deceased by her daughter, Katherine and her grandchild, Jessica.
Mary Catherine MacLean was born at her 6 Athol Street Campbellton family home in the shadowy aftermath of World War I. She gained her middle name from her mother’s sister, who had just died in Korea of the devastating Influenza pandemic sweeping the world in 1919. The sixth of eight children, Mary grew up in a family devoted to education and service. Home at 6 Athol was a happy sanctuary in the turbulent times that overtook the world in the 1920s and 1930s. Mary was always eager to learn and excelled in school. In her own words, “I loved school”. In her graduating year from Campbellton High School in 1937 she was selected to be part of the Canadian contingent representing Canadian youth to attend the Coronation of King George VI (father of Queen Elizabeth II) in London. She kept an incredible diary and photographic record of this trip of a lifetime, especially so for a seventeen-year-old during The Great Depression. Many of those early memories sustained her in her final years.
Like her father and three brothers before her, Mary MacLean went to UNB, graduating in 1942 with her Bachelor of Arts degree and Teacher’s Certification. Always competitive and athletic, she was a member of the UNB Women’s Varsity Basketball Team for all 4 years. During this time, she met her future husband, Malcolm Rogers, who just happened to be a member of the UNB Men’s Basketball team.
World War II defined the time. By this time, five members of her family, four brothers and a sister, were already serving in the Canadian Forces. Sadly, her brother Donald went missing in May of 1942 in a massive air raid over Germany and was eventually presumed killed in action. Mary spent most of the rest of 1942 working for the war effort as a Weapons Inspector in Sorel, Quebec. Her family’s record of Wartime service is a testimony in courage that would shape her life forever.
In February of 1943 Mary married Malcolm Rogers at her home in Campbellton. Their first-born came in December of that year and was named Donald Stewart MacLean Rogers, after his uncle. Their young marriage was also interrupted by her husband, Malcolm’s, overseas service and the sudden death in early 1944 of his father, Ern Rogers, of Bathurst. As life-altering events often demand change, Mary took her young child and moved to Bathurst, where she brought up six children in her new home. She raised her children much as she was taught, in her humble and loving childhood home in Campbellton.
Mary’s life took an unfortunate turn in 1968 with the sudden death of her husband of 25 years. Her response was to rely on her solid education and hard-earned life skills to start a teaching career at 50 years old. This she did initially with three children still at home and two in university, choosing to devote her life to family and education. “You can always learn” was her mantra. In 1972, her eldest daughter, Katherine, died after a lengthy illness. This broke her heart but not her spirit. Her commitment to family was strengthened and as grandchildren came under her spell, they sensed her resolve and life went on.
Mary Rogers taught mostly Grade 5 students, first at Mary Gosnell, and then at Chalmers and Parkwood. Her retirement in 1985 gave her even more time for her growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Up until the last few months of her life, Mary was active, engaged, involved and at peace with the world. Over the years she played badminton, curled, golfed, played bridge and was a valued member of the IODE and the NB Retired Teachers’ Association. Of late she spoke of her youth, her trip to England and Scotland, her parents, her brothers and sisters and of her home at 6 Athol. She had come full circle and we are fortunate that she was able to spend her last few months in her own home, with family. She had seen it all and as I was told just yesterday: “She left it all on the field.” This sonnet echoes her resolve to serve.
Mary Kate
Forbearing ancient Celtic pride,
Receiving God’s demanding grace,
Enduring life and death, abide
In truth’s relentless human face.
Amid the darkness of this night
When fate and fear conspire with sleep,
Does she commit to candles light,
To flood low passions shadows keep.
She dons an apron stained in time,
By war, by loss, by innocence;
Yet stronger swears she so sublime
A vow of noble recompense.
She ushers shadows from the sun,
She lights the candles, one by one.
The family would like to thank Mom’s critical home care team of Sharon, Connie, Pam, Phyllis, Hélène, Juanita, Grace and Anne for their love and dedication, especially over the past few months when she needed you most. We also thank the many Extra-Mural nurses who showed so much kindness and professional care to our mother. Finally, a very special thanks to Mom’s close friends, Marg and Bert Demmings, for their over 50 years of friendship and laughter. We are forever grateful.
There will be no visitation. A “Celebration of Life” tea will be held on Sunday, August 15th from 2-5 p.m. at 4145 Cape Road, Salmon Beach. Please drop in (or contact rosemary@celtic.ca for more information).
Donations in memory of Mary can be made to a scholarship fund close to Mom’s heart: The Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund c/o Wayne Lord, 1773 Schryer Ave., Bathurst, NB E2A 4Y4.
