Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Mary DUNSTAN Obituary
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).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
20 Entries
Nora and John Anderson
March 11, 2019
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.
laurie lester
September 27, 2013
it is your Turn now Mary,Time To Have Your Peace Your Rest,God Loves You The Best
Laurie lester
September 26, 2013
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.
Mark Giesbrecht
June 4, 2013
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.
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Kingsbury Monica
June 3, 2013
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
June 3, 2013
Just heard from Ian G about Mary. My deepest condolences to Richard and family.
Best Wishes,
Chris Bowers
Ian Gartshore
June 3, 2013
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.
tanya coburn
April 11, 2013
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
Suzanne Blakley-Oaks
April 8, 2013
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 for Mary's ability to get to the root of the issue and then to help the client overcome. Mary is in heaven with her Saviour waiting for her loved ones and friends to join her celebrate a life well served. Love and prayers of support to you Richard and your children and family. Suzanne Blakley-Oaks (formerly Work)
Scott, Susan and Graeme Lymbery
March 28, 2013
Though our hearts are full, words fail. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours, with love in the One who interwove our threads,ever so briefly but brightly.
March 19, 2013
Richard,
I just read my email and saw the news of Mary's passing. My prayers are with you.
Armand Danis
March 19, 2013
I just learned today of Mary's passing and wish to extend my condolences to her family. I knew and worked with Mary for many years in Nanaimo and had the greatest respect for her. I always thought of Mary as a truly good person who was nonjudgmental and genuinely cared about the well being of others. She will be missed.
Carol Pearson,
Nanaimo
March 19, 2013
I was so sorry to hear of Mary's Passing Richard. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family.
Ed Vandeweerd
Victoria BC.
Carol and David Michael
March 17, 2013
We are so very sorry to hear about Mary's death. This earthly world has lost a truly wonderful person, much too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Richard.
Wayne Campbell
March 17, 2013
The thoughts and prayers of our family are with you, Richard. Mary inspired many with her sense of humour and sparkling outlook.
Blair, Wayne, Jamie, Doug, and Colleen.
Nora and John Ander
March 17, 2013
Richard, I am including you and your family in our Divine Mercy prayers and we extend to you and your family our condolences in your time of grief. We pray that the Holy Spirit will help you will to always keep your eyes on Jesus!
Clyde Wicks
March 17, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Richard.
Clyde and Sharon
FRANK & RENA PHILLIPS
March 17, 2013
RENA AND FRANK PHILLIPS EXTEND THEIR SINCERE SYMPATHY, RICHARD AND FAMILY, ON THE PASSING OF MARY, A RARE LADY WHO ALWAYS HAD A SMILE.
March 17, 2013
Richard, You and your family are in our prayers here in the East.
Roberta Brine ASC Atlantic
Yvan & Lucie Gosselin
March 17, 2013
Mary was a beautiful person and a wonderful friend. The way she saw the positive in every day of her illness up to the end should be an inspiration to all of us. We send our love to Richard and her lovely family.
Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results
Make a Donation
in Mary DUNSTAN's name
How to support Mary's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Mary DUNSTAN's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored