Mary Patricia Anne Ritcey Jourdain of Dufferin St., Lunenburg, passed away, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Harbour View Haven Home for Special Care, Lunenburg.

Born on May 7, 1932 in Bridgewater, she was a daughter of the late Captain Loran and Kathleen (Hackett) Ritcey.

Mary attended Lunenburg Academy and Mount Saint Vincent Academy graduating in 1951. She was a teller at the Royal Bank in Lunenburg prior to her marriage in 1958, after which she continued to work with the Royal Bank and then Simpson Sears in Digby where she and her family lived for a time before returning to Lunenburg in the late 60s.

Her most significant vocation was as a stay-at-home mom and housewife although what she loved most was working in the hospitality industry in the 70s and 80s. She was a hostess at the Bluenose Lodge and at Captain Angus during tourist season. This work was a highlight of her life… she gave a lot to serving and making people happy!

She was a big fan of and asset for Robert’s Lunch Bar during late 80s early 90s. She was a long time volunteer with Meals on Wheels brightening many a recipient’s day with her cheerful conversation, and at the Gift shop at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital.

A faithful member of St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church, Lunenburg Mary served on varies committees of the church and she was the Treasurer of the South Shore Liberal Association during the 80’s.

She loved to sew, do needle point and knit sweaters, especially for all newcomers into the world. She was well known for her baked goods and particularly her cinnamon rolls, widely distributed to friends in the community.

She was an amazingly resourceful, resilient woman who had a gift of unobtrusively lending a hand where it was needed most.

Mary is survived by her husband, Raoul Hector Jourdain, Lunenburg; son Robert Jourdain, York, PEI; daughter, Kathy Jourdain, Bedford, NS and her 3 grandchildren, Jacob and Spencer Dwyer and Shasta Tangri all of Bedford; sisters-in-law Berthe, Madeline and Dorilla Jourdain and many nieces and nephews and their families in Quebec; locally by her sister-in-law, Jean Ritcey, Upper Northfield; her nephews Chris Ritcey, Edmonton and Tim Ritcey, Halifax.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter Michelle (died in infancy), her brothers, Jack and Jerome Ritcey.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213, Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg, with visitation Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church, Lunenburg, Father Joseph Christensen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Harbour View Haven, St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church or to a charity of your choice.

www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca