Mary K. MONKS

Our amazing mum, nana, great-nana left quietly and quickly, impatient as ever. Mary was born in Dovercourt, Essex to Arthur and Lily Rose Davies. She was educated at St. Paul's Girls' School after the family moved to Ashford, Middlesex, and attended art college before landing a fashion columnist job at Woman & Beauty Magazine in London. During WW 2 Mary became a Land Girl until a back injury sidelined her, but she was always proud she could milk a herd of Jerseys. She lost two fiancés to war and spent a year in the USA with American cousins after it ended. Mary married Harold Monks in 1947 and they emigrated to Toronto with their young family in 1956. A born performer, Mary had written, directed and starred in school plays, and sung in musicals for wartime troops on leave. She reprised her acting skills in community theatre in Richmond Hill, Ontario and went on to work in TV, radio and professional stage. After moving to Eagle Harbour in 1970, Mary was busier than ever in theatres across Canada. Retired in Sechelt, she enjoyed her time with the Chair Actors. Mary is predeceased by her beloved Harold and sister Margaret French. Missing her funny stories, her vivacity, wit, passion and love are daughter Louise Phillips (David), son Charlie, grandson Robin Whitney (Kelly), great-grandkids Annabelle, Luke and Patrick, brother John Davies (Janet), and family and friends in the UK, USA and Canada. Special thanks to all the devoted caregivers at Totem Lodge. Donations in Mary's memory, if desired, to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Actors' Fund of Canada, or for animal rescue. A celebration of Mary's life will be held in the New Year.