Mary Marjorie (Ostrow) Howden

Mary Marjorie Howden (Ostrow) was born on April 8, 1941, at the Calgary General Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Mary grew up in the neighborhood of Bonnybrook and attended school at Colonel Walker and Western Canada High School. Predeceased by her Mother Jennie who immigrated from Romania and her father Onufri who immigrated from Poland to Canada. Mary was also predeceased by her older brother Frank Ostrow and younger sister Dolores Strewons. Mary married Grant Howden, and they had two children; they eventually divorced.

Mary is survived by her children Cheryl (Kevin)  Childs of Calgary, and Darren (Sandy) Howden of Grand Falls – Windsor, NFLD. Mary was known as beloved “Baba” to her two grandsons Daniel Limneos of Hardisty, AB, and Alexander Limneos of Calgary, AB. Mary gained two more grandchildren, Kirsty and Lance Childs (Helen) two great grandchildren Millar and Marshall who all live in New Zealand. Also adopted into our family are grandchildren April McNamara in Nova Scotia, Marissa McBain and great granddaughter Wren in Kamloops B.C. Also surviving Mary is her much-loved Sister-in-law Myrna Russell of Calgary, and nephews David Calder, and Sheldon, Kyle, and Justin Strewons. Great nephew Rob (Kiera) Goodyer of Cochrane. Mary also loved her family of grand fur babies Ziggy, Athena, Molly, Dexter, and kitty Loki. They all knew a treat was in store when Baba was around. 

Mary worked hard during her lifetime at a wide variety of jobs. Her first was at the Bank of Nova Scotia before she was married. Mary was a Head Cashier at Woodwards Department Store in Toys and Sporting Goods. Later on, Mary went to Alberta Vocational Centre for Registered Nursing Assistant and briefly worked at Glenmore Extended Care. Mary also worked at the Ranchmans as a Hostess in its heyday! She learned to smoke cigars there!

Mary loved collecting "stuff". Mary loved the hunt at garage sales and thrift stores for the “best stuff.” Cooking big family dinners brought her happiness and satisfaction, there was always enough food prepared for an army! Mary liked to do crafts like flower arranging, gardening, and knitting. Great times were just hanging out with family and friends (Happy hour at the condo!) Flames hockey games at the dome or watching games at home on the TV with family were always fun times! There was no one who could play more cards at Bingo than our mom and she loved the game.

Mary’s happiest memories she loved her mom and dad, and her brother and sister. Adventures with her kids and grandkids, family, and friends. Mary loved her food, especially ice cream and desserts. When asked what her proudest moment was she said “My family!” 

Her favorite saying was “It is what it is.”

If family or friends so desire in lieu of flowers,  memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation https://donate.heavencanwait.ca or Saving Grace https://www.savinggracecanada.com/donations

There will be no funeral or memorial services. 

Thank you for the excellent care and compassion given by every staff member to our mother and our family at the Foothills Medical Centre Emergency department and Special Services Building Unit 47. Thank you also to the staff at Father Lacombe Care Centre who were kind and compassionate to mom this last year of her life. 

Love to all xo Mary.