Mary Louise “Mama”Hewett
1941 - 2003
On Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at Boundary Trails Hospital in Winkler, Manitoba, Mary Louise (Halvorson) Hewett, 62 years, beloved wife of John William Hewett, lost her battle to cancer. She was surrounded by her family and friends.
Mary was born in Northwood, North Dakota on April 10, 1941. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, taught in St. Paul and St. Cloud, MN, and then moved on to Winnipeg, Canada. She spent the last thirty years of her life in Carman, Manitoba where she started the Midland Nursery School and taught there for over 25 years.
Mary is survived by her three children, John Joseph of Cumberland, Maryland, Matthew William Leath of Washington, D.C., and Amy Marie of Minneapolis, MN. She is also survived by her brother Jerry “T-Bone” (Gen) Halvorson of Wilmar, MN, her sister Barbara Halvorson-MacGee of Lake Tahoe, California, Violet Halvorson of Fargo, North Dakota, Uncle Glenn Johnson of Minneapolis, MN, and Aunt Betty Halvorson of Northwood, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Mercedes Halvorson, and her brother Gene Halvorson.
Mary will be remembered for her long exemplary life of dedication to her family and friends. Her genuine spirit and positive outlook towards life were unsurpassed. Her devotion to teaching formed a foundation for so many in her community and for her children. She always undoubtedly put her family and friends first. She lived by the motto, “Give them roots to grow, give them wings to fly, “ and she truly did this with her three children whom she was so proud of. Mary’s modesty and generosity will be forever remembered, along with her notorious cooking and baking. She was a perfect example of what we should all aspire to be.
A memorial service was held on Friday, August 8th at 12:00pm in the Carman United Church Hall. It was a celebration of her life and the amazing gift of love she freely gave to everyone.
A church service was held on Saturday, August 9th at 2:30 pm in Northwood, ND at the Northwood Evangelical Church.
Donations can be made to:
The Breast Cancer Center of Hope, Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave. Room ON109 Winnipeg, Mb. R3E 0V9 or to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation P.O. Box 2000, Station Main Winkler, MB. R6W 1H8
Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.