Mary I. Coward

Mary Isabel Findlay Coward
Chapel Hill
Mary Isabel Findlay Coward died after an extended illness on March 1, 2012 at Carolina Meadows Retirement Community, Chapel Hill, NC.
Born in Briercrest, Saskatchewan, Canada she was the youngest child of the late Thomas and Jean (Grieves) Findlay. She trained as a nurse at Moose Jaw General Hospital and was most proud of her work at the Regina Cancer Clinic where she was involved in radiation treatment for cancer patients. She married Donald James Coward in 1950. They moved from Regina to Saskatoon, so that Don could complete his degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. His positions within the oil industry moved them to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Toronto, Ontario before they settled in Greensboro, NC. They had 2 daughters, Holly Jean and Lesleyjill.
Mary's Christian faith was her cornerstone. A lifelong Presbyterian, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC for 42 years, and a loyal member of her women's circle. She never met a stranger, routinely offered a helping hand and delighted in sharing a laugh. Mary had many interests, most importantly, her children and grandchildren. She possessed a keen sense of curiosity and was intrigued with how things worked. She kept current in world events, loved to garden, do needlework, and was devoted to her cats.
She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Holly Jean Coward and her husband, Dr. Phillip Heine of Chapel Hill, NC, and Lesleyjill Coward and her partner, Tondea Jackson of Raleigh, NC, and by her grandsons, Donald James and William Phillips Heine of Chapel Hill NC.
She was predeceased by her husband, Donald James Coward, her sisters, Grace Elizabeth Johnstone of Pittsburgh, PA, and Margaret Jean Cameron of Irish Mountain, Nova Scotia, and her brother, Allen David Findlay of Briercrest, Saskatchewan.
The family would like to thank Dr. Racquel Daley-Placide and all of the staff at Carolina Meadows for the compassionate care and friendship they gave her.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC. The Rev. Lori Carter and the Rev. Alan Koeneke will officiate.
The family will receive friends afterwards in the Virginia Gilmer Room.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the Employee Appreciation Fund at Carolina Meadows, 100 Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or to the charity of one's choice.