May God bless you and your...
John and I did not know Mary but we do know Richard and after reading about Mary's life and the many remembrances of her, we wish we had known her.
Nora and John Anderson
March 11, 2019 | Victoria, BC
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Obituary
Mary Dunstan, a family therapist in Nanaimo for many years, died peacefully Wednesday morning, March 13 in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Mary was born in Oakland, California, November 22, 1947. She came to Canada in 1972, living first in Ontario, then since 1980 in Nanaimo. She earned her master's degree in family systems counselling from the Leadership Institute of Seattle in 1995, and was a member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, working at Marshall & Associates, and previously at Nanaimo and Area Resource Services for Families. During her years in Nanaimo she also founded a local chapter of Birthright, worked as a lay counsellor, family service worker, and board member with Nanaimo Family Life Association, and was active in several capacities at St. Peter's Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Richard Dunstan; their children Rachel (Bern) Muller, Matthew (Robyn) Dunstan, and Beth (Jason) Smit; grandchildren Rebecca, Naomi, Emily, Ana, and Isaac Muller, Hayden and Carter Dunstan, and Nolan and Angela Smit; brothers Richard and Larry and sister Donna Mathewson; and numerous much-loved nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Orval J. Mathewson and the former Dorothy Rogers and by her sister Phyllis Nelson and her brother Orval D. Mathewson.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 301 Machleary St. Nanaimo, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2013, also at St. Peter's. Arrangements by Telford's Burial & Cremation Centre. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital palliative care unit, Kids International Development Society, or a charity of your choice. Warm thanks to the numerous health professionals who have helped Mary, especially Dr. Robin Love, Dr. Gerry Vaughan, and the magnificent nurses in the palliative care unit and Nanaimo Home and Community Care.
This obituary was originally published in the Nanaimo Daily News and Harbour City Star (Nanaimo, BC).
Guest Book
it is your Turn now Mary,Time To Have Your Peace Your Rest,God Loves You The Best
laurie lester
September 27, 2013
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i am honoured to have met this wonderful Lady,And Lady She Truly Was,I am So Sadded By Her Passing,But I guess God Needed Her The Best,Thank You Mary For Helping Me So Much.I miss You Terribly,My Condolances To Your Lovely Family,An Angel I shall Never Ever Forget.
Laurie lester
September 26, 2013 | Nanaimo, BC
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Sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She is one who fought the good fight. I worked around her briefly at Marshall & Associates. I can still see that smile of hers when I think about her. She is someone who left a gentle and peaceful impression. Condolences to her family and friends.
Mark Giesbrecht
June 04, 2013 | Nanaimo, BC
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I am so sad to hear of Mary's passing. We met in '91 when I was at NARSF and Mary with family life. We both took the Virginia Satir training and I came to know and appreciate Mary for her warmth and generous spirit. My condolences to her family.
... monica
Kingsbury Monica
June 03, 2013 | Victoria BC
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Just heard from Ian G about Mary. My deepest condolences to Richard and family.
Best Wishes,
Chris Bowers
June 03, 2013
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I was honoured to have know Mary and her husband Richard. Mary had a strong spirit, a compassionate heart, a keen intellect and more. We were blessed to have her ministering in our midst.
Ian Gartshore
June 03, 2013 | Nanaimo, BC
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i just found out about Marys passing today....she was an amazing therapyst. and i am truely blessed to have had her in my life. she will be so greatly missed:(
luv u mary
tanya coburn
April 11, 2013 | Nanaimo, BC
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I just learned about Mary's passing. It has been many years since Mary and I worked together at Birthrite in Nanaimo. Our last conversation in early 2001 before I moved to Abbotsford was about a young woman I was talking to about her unplanned pregnacy. Mary agreed to include her in her busy counseling schedule pro-bono because of her great love and concern and
capacity to work with woman who are over whelmed and frightened about the future. I have the deepest respect and admiration...
Suzanne Blakley-Oaks
April 08, 2013 | Abbotsford, BC
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