ESPIE. Mary (May) Bagra. Jan. 23, 1920 – Aug. 25, 2012. It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary (May) ESPIE. May, or Auntie May, as she was known to so many, passed away quietly with both nieces at her side on Aug. 25th at 12:50 am. in the morning at her home in St. Vincent’s-Langara Care Home in Vancouver, BC where she had resided for the past six years. Born on Jan. 23, 1920 in Glasgow, Scotland, she was predeceased by her sister, Anna, and her parents, Elsie, and Thomas. She is survived by her two loving nieces, Carol (Graeme), and Olivia (Nick), a great niece, Katherine, and a great nephew, Thomas. Auntie May lived her life for three main things: her family, her work, and her church. From World War II to 1950 May worked for the Glasgow Fire Service as a clerk in the Central Fire Station (the HQ). Next she worked as the Wolverhampton Town Clerk’s assistant until she moved to Canada in 1967. She came to Vancouver by ship with her mother, her sister and two nieces. The family moved to Hope and bought the Rupert Taylor Motel. May looked after her mother faithfully until 1969, when her mother died.
May then began her work as a medical office manager for Dr. Bob Morrison and latterly Dr. David Singleton. She knew several generations of families in Hope from babyhood to maturity. She knew her job well, loved it and was only late for work once in 33 years. Throughout her life May always attended church, whether the Scottish Presbyterian of her childhood, or the United Church. She spent many happy years at Hope United Church. When she retired (at age 80!) she moved into a senior’s apartment complex, Chishaun. There she lived until a fall precipitated a move into St. Vincent’s-Langara Care Home.
She will be forever loved and missed by her family. She was like a mother to us and our Rock of Gibraltar. The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff at St. Vincent’s-Langara, and May’s friends from Hope & from Chishaun for their kindness and care over the years.
Please feel free to send your memories, pictures or condolences by email to: oliviaedwards@telus.net.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in May’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society. A celebration of May’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 29th, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Shaughnessy Heights United Church (1550 W. 33rd Ave., Vancouver, B.C.- 33rd & Granville St.) Refreshments to follow.