Mary Alice Mercer

MERCER (Smith), Mary Alice of Wolfville, age 91 years. We are saddened to announce the passing of Mary on July 23, 2022, in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, Nova Scotia. Mary was born at home on a dairy farm in Oxford, Nova Scotia in 1931, to the late Francis W. Smith and Luella (Thompson) Smith. She graduated from Oxford High School, received a registered nurse diploma from the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing in 1952, and then furthered her education at Winnipeg General Hospital obtaining a certificate in Operation Room Technique and Management. In 1957, Mary married John H. Mercer, and they lived in various locations from Toronto to Halifax. While working in Nova Scotia, Mary assisted in many firsts, including being involved in the first pacemaker surgery in Halifax and the first hypothermic anesthesia procedure. She also worked for several years in neurosurgery. In 1967, Mary and John settled in Wolfville where they raised their two daughters through the 1960s and 1970s. In 1981, Mary completed a registered nurse refresher course at the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. She returned to nursing at the Wolfville Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital and enjoyed various roles, but her favourite was same-day surgery. Mary retired from nursing when the EKM closed in 1994.

Mary led an active life, and in her earlier days, she enjoyed badminton, camping, and horseback riding, which included being involved with the Halifax Junior Bengal Lancers Equestrian Club. She exercised daily and enjoyed gardening, travelling, lawn bowling, sewing and quilting among other hobbies. Attending theatre productions and musical concerts, and listening to Stuart McLean stories on the radio, were also ways that Mary spent her time. Throughout the years, Mary volunteered for the Wolfville Figure Skating Club and the Port Williams Health Auxiliary. As a member of St. Andrew’s United Church and Orchard Valley United Church, Mary was involved with the women’s group and had served on many committees. She also made a point of attending Moncton Hospital reunions and had recently celebrated her 70th anniversary of being a registered nurse.

Mary is a survived by daughters, Nancy (Jim) Thomas of Spring Lake, Michigan; and Sally Mercer of Vancouver, British Columbia; grandchildren, Kira, Zackary, and Carson; sister-in-law, Ruth Smith and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by many special friends whom she treasured and considered to be family. Mary was predeceased by John in 2008, her parents, her two older brothers, Lawrence Howard and Francis Thompson, and infant sister, Susie Gertrude, sister-in-law, Jean Smith and brother-in-law, Jim Mercer.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 1:00pm at Orchard Valley United Church, 9256 Commercial Street, New Minas. Guests are asked to wear a mask and something in a shade of blue, Mary’s favourite colour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VON Annapolis Valley or the Port Williams Health Auxiliary. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.