Obituary of Mary LYNAS

Mary Lynas, of a pioneer Calgary family, passed away after a short illness on Friday, May 20, 2011 at the age of 89 years. Mary was the second child of Selby and Ruth and was raised on the Walker estate which today is the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Her grandfather, Col. James Walker, settled in Calgary in 1882 after having come west with the NWMP in 1873. His significant contribution to Calgary was recognized by his being named Calgarys Citizen of the Century in 1975. Marys father, Selby Walker, was the only child of James and Euphemia Walker, and was a noted environmentalist being responsible for the establishment of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Mary resided in Calgary until 1946 when she married Flash Lynas who had returned from overseas having served with the No. 1 Provost Company (RCMP) in England, Sicily and Italy. Over the next few years they were stationed in Drumheller and McLennan, Alberta and then Goose Bay, Labrador. By that time they were a family of four with Gary being born in 1947 and Alan in 1949. Mary began working in 1954 and had a career in the book business with the Hudsons Bay Company, Carmen Moore Books and Sandpiper Books until her retirement. She was an active volunteer over the years with Knox United Church, the Mission-Cliff Bungalow Community Association, the Southern Alberta Pioneers and Their Descendants, the Chinook Country Historical Society, the Calgary Food Bank, and Inn from the Cold. Mary is survived and will be greatly missed by her sons Gary (Donna) and Alan (Noreen) of Nelson, BC, and three grand-daughters, Erin Findlay, and Brittany and Stephanie Lynas. Mary was predeceased by Flash in 1973, as well as, her brother Alan in 1929. A Remembrance Service was held at the Southern Alberta Pioneer Memorial Building, 3635 4th Street S.W. on Thursday, May 26, 2011. HERITAGE FUNERAL SERVICES Calgary Crematorium Chapel Telephone: (403) 299-0111