Mary Eileen Mollet
nee Bennett
Mary, “Apple Granny”, died peacefully with all her family by her side, at Lady Minto Hospital in the early morning hours of April 14th. She was born on January 13, 1920 on Salt Spring Island, second child of Alice (Rogers) Bennett (England), and Jack Bennett (Australia).
Predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Leslie; infant daughter Trudy Louise; sister June Stevens; brother Johnny Bennett; and two sons- in-law, Cecil Moncey and Joe Manuck.
Survived by sons Ted (Glenda) Port Alberni, Bob (Ann) Chemainus, and daughters Terri Manuck (SSI), Anna Moncey (Black Creek) sister Evelyn Lee (SSI), 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, dear friend and long-time neighbour, Mollie Lacy, and many friends and relatives worldwide.
Mary and Les were kind, patient, wise, extraordinary parents and growing up on a large Fulford farm we feel we lived a charmed childhood of freedom, family, music and love.
Mary was the author of two cookbooks, “An Apple A Day” and “An Apple a Day Volume Two”. She will be missed at Apple Festival where her red blazer and smiling face were bright spots in the Fulford Hall. A dedicated member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Fulford, she and Mollie Lacy began the beautiful Heritage Garden we all enjoy in the spring. She was an entrepreneur having owned Sunnyside Garden Supplies in Fulford. An accomplished artist, her oils, watercolours and sketches hang in all our homes, and her painted trays and ceramics are family treasures.
After Mary sold the farm she lived in Brinkworthy for ten years, until her mobility declined and she became a resident of Greenwoods. During her 5 1/2 years there she knitted over a thousand toques and scarves for Canada Comfort Society and hundreds of teddy bears for Operation Christmas Child, an African orphanage, and many children of relatives, friends and staff at Greenwoods.
We wish to extend our thanks and gratitude to the staff of Greenwoods for their kindness, care and friendship to our mother, and to the wonderful nurses and doctors at Lady Minto Hospital during her final hours. Our special thanks to Dr. Shane Barclay.
Flowers are gratefully declined, but a donation to Greenwoods Eldercare or Lady Minto Hospital Foundation would be much appreciated.
Memorial service Saturday May 14th at 1:00 pm at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Fulford, followed by tea at the OAP hall across the road.