Obituary of Mary Madeline Sparling

SPARLING: Mary Madeline Sparling – It is with great sadness but with gratitude for the life she lived, that we announce the passing of our loving and devoted wife, Mom, Grandma, Grams, sister, Aunt, cousin, and friend. Mom died as she lived, with grace and strength, and was surrounded by her loving family, the thoughts and prayers of friends, and the comfort of her faith on March 1, 2018 at the Assiniboine Centre, Brandon, MB. Mary was born on January 28, 1938 into the loving arms of Bert and Madeline Gibson in Holmfield, MB. Brother Terry was born a few years later, and the family moved to an idyllic acreage on the outskirts of Neepawa, MB in 1945 where sister Carol arrived. Mary looked out for her younger siblings, and they were blessed to be close her whole life. Mary attended Central School, and Neepawa Collegiate Institute, where she formed lifelong friendships with many. She graduated in 1956, and the following year married the love of her life, Wayne Sparling on June 8. They created a forever kind of love and life together. Mary and Wayne celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last summer. They started out life in Neepawa, Mary working at the Land Titles office until the birth of their first child, Karen, in 1961. Fifteen months later Brent arrived and they moved to Minnedosa, MB in 1964, where Troy was born in 1968. As a young woman, she belonged to the organizations CGIT, and Young Peoples. In 1971 the family moved to Brandon where she would live out her life. Mary was an amazingly wonderful Mom to her three children and an involved and loving Grandma and Grams. Always adhering to the "Golden Rule", she taught them to love, respect, and be kind to all. She was a talented seamstress, making anything from the best Halloween costumes to suits and a wedding gown. As a homemaker and cook, it was important that the meals she served were not only delicious, but nutritious as well. Many family gatherings, celebrations, and events were centered around her table. She loved to celebrate and make you feel special with all your accomplishments, and milestones, big or small. Mary's life revolved around her family and living a healthy lifestyle. She loved to walk, and bike around her neighbourhood, and being the friendly person she was, she would stop and talk to anyone on her way. Mary enjoyed travelling and was fortunate to see many parts of the world, and spend part of the winters in Oliver, BC for several years. Travelling was enriched by the company of family, friends, or as a couple. She enjoyed playing cards, was an avid reader, and nature lover. Mary's love of nature and her creative and artistic ability shone through in her gardens. She created so many beautiful flower beds in each home and helped to maintain the gardens at the First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Westman Garden Club and was very knowledgeable about horticulture. Her artistic ability extended beyond her gardens as she was an accomplished painter and photographer. Her beautiful gardens were often the subjects of both. At church, she was the designated photographer, capturing the church's events, which later were printed in the church paper "Serve and Tell", which she also helped to create for many years. Mary then would transform the years' worth of church photos into a slide show for the annual meetings at the First Presbyterian Church. Mary enjoyed painting water colours and was a member of the Palette Club. Last year her painting, "St. Mary's Church", was given the honour of touring on the Arts West 38th Travelling Gallery exhibit and will be on display in Brandon, April 22 to May 18 at the Centennial Auditorium. Her work has also been shown at Brushstrokes and Prairie Oasis art shows and at Lion's Manor. Besides her volunteer work at the church, Mary was a faithful volunteer at Helping Hands, she canvased for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and for the Diabetes Association. Mary was instrumental in the organization of respite care for families with children with disabilities through Brandon Community Options as well as the setup of the original nine group homes. Mary sang with a group that entertained the residents of Rideau Park Personal Care Home twice a month, and with the choir at Lion's Manor. Mary's work outside the home included The Workers Compensation Board, CKX, and Assiniboine Community College which she retired from in 1999. Later she would work for Elections Canada on a casual basis. Her colleagues enjoyed working with her and appreciated her work ethic, integrity and professionalism. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Bert and Madeline Gibson and by her son, Troy Sparling. Survived, Inspired and enriched by her life are her husband Wayne, daughter Karen (Brett) Mandryk, son Brent Sparling, grandchildren, Adam (Kelli) Moore, Hailie Moore, Laine (Bryan) Brazeau, Patrick (Brittany Villers) Mandryk, Sawyer Mandryk, Michael, Krista and Seanna Sparling, Great Grandchildren, Sophie, Addison, Joel, Leah, Adam, and Pierson, her brother Terry (Gale) Gibson, sister Carol (Bill) Stadnyk, sister in law Sherrill Carvey, brother in law Rick Sparling, her dear Aunt Vera Turner, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. One of Mary's goals after her diagnosis last fall was to see the birth of her sixth great grandchild. Arriving a few days before his due date, Mary was able to hold and talk to Pierson the day before her passing. A celebration of Mary's life will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 339-12th Street, Brandon, MB, March 12 at 2pm. A private family interment to take place at the Brandon Cemetery prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary to the Canadian Cancer Society, or Manitoba Cancer Care.