It is with great sadness and yet celebration that the family of the late Maude Mary Canning released her to the Lord's faithful care at the age of 100 years old.

Mary was born November 5th, 1915 to William and Jane (Primmer) Blake in Barr'd Islands, Fogo Island. She moved to Birchy Bay as a young child. She met and married Samuel Canning and they settled their homestead in Birchy Bay and then Baytona where they raised their 12 children.

Mary was predeceased by husband; Samuel Canning, son-in-law; Alvin Sacrey, grandson; Darren Canning.

She leaves loving memories to be cherished by her 12 children: Andrew (Yvonne), Baxter (Juanita), Levi (Greta), Wilbert (Daisy), Elmo (Joy), Wilfred (Joyce), Mont (Betty), Gladys (Howard), Darrell (Cindy), Lester (Vicky), Ena (Ross), Harold.

Her 29 grandchildren: Guy, Lawrence, Faron, Barbara, Monique, Ted, Steven, Marion, Lorna, Vincent, Jack, Karen, Perry, Pierrette, Gail, Gaye, Dwayne, Bryan, Craig, Kathy, Robert, Cory, Roxanne, Cora-Lee, Carson, Corwin, Heidi, Jessica, Colleen and her 42 great-grandchildren.

Aunt Mary as she was so affectionately known in the community was loved by all who knew her and admired for her love of life. She dearly loved to have people visit and took great delight in having a chat over a cup of tea. She was a friend to all! Many stories can be told of friends who had a meal at Aunt Mary's and enjoyed some of her wonderful homemade bread and traditional Newfoundland cooking.

Aunt Mary spent countless hours knitting and crocheting beautiful pieces of handiwork for her family and she took pleasure in sharing those hand-crafted goods with her children and grandchildren. It would always bring a smile to her face as she presented the item and she was always so happy to be able to continue that tradition through the generations of her family.

Her love for God and serving him through the Salvation Army was of utmost importance to her and continued to be her passion until the day she passed. As her family sat vigil around her bedside in her last days she could be heard whispering prayers as even in her last days she was still worshiping her Lord and Saviour.

She will be missed by all who knew her. Her family will feel the immense loss of her physical presence in their lives but there is much gratitude for a mother and grandmother who lived life to the fullest and taught us how to love each other.

The family would like to thank the staff of Pleasantview in Lewisporte where mother resided for the past 9 years. You cared for her and treated her as your own and we are grateful. We would also like to say thank you to the staff of James Peyton Memorial Hospital and the Palliative Care team in Lewisporte who took care of mom in her last days.

The public visitation took place will take place August 24, 2016 at 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm from The Salvation Army Church, Birchy Bay, NL.

The funeral service took place Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 2 pm from The Salvation Army Church, Birchy Bay, NL. The interment followed at the Salvation Army Cemetery, Baytona, NL.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Gordon Woolfrey Funeral Home, Lewisporte, NL.