Obituary of Mary Pattie-Fellner

Mary Darlene Pattie-Fellner of Camrose, Alberta passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the age of 83 years. Mary Pattie-Fellner was born Mary Darlene Price on November 24, 1934 in Fargo, North Dakota. She was the fifth and youngest child and precious only surviving daughter of Bill and Ida Price. Growing up she enjoyed the outdoors shooting grouse and pheasant with her dad and brothers Jerry, Lewis and Bill and acquiring her own shotgun in the process. Mary attended college in Morehead MN and went to work for Fargo Forum. While she was in college, she met Don Pattie. The couple married in 1956 and moved to Parkland, Washington where Mary taught grade six in nearby Spanaway, WA. Their son, Kevin was born in 1959 and daughter Cheris in 1961. As a young mother, new teacher and budding homemaker, Mary had to contend with unusual family pets like the harbour seal that lived in her bathtub. In 1969 the family moved to Camrose where Mary joined the English department at Camrose Composite High School. There she meet fellow teacher Margie McCrea who was to become a lifelong friend, travel and volunteer companion. Mary embraced her new community. She was active in the Lutheran Church, Professional Business Women's Association, and Teachers Association. She spearheaded the Camrose United Church's Pastoral Care Committee when she brought the Stephen Ministries program to them. Mary shared her love of music as the relief organist for the United Church and as a choir member for many years. Mary's faith and fellowship, and the love of her children and friends helped her remain strong through the ending of her first marriage. She was forever grateful to Rev. Brian Hunter for his thoughtful council. In December 1989 Mary married Joe Fellner. She enjoyed life on the farm and simply relished being a grandmother to Joe's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe converted Mary to an ardent Saskatchewan Roughrider fan with a hatred for the Montreal Alouettes. Her retirement from teaching in 1980 gave her more time for community work and she joined Probus and the Progressive Conservative Party and took executive rolls in her condo association. Joe and Mary had several happy years together before Joe fell ill and Mary became his caregiver. She remained 100% dedicated to Joe throughout his long battle with Alzheimer's and visited him daily in hospital for many years until his passing in 2014. In 2009, Mary suffered the passing of her beloved daughter Cheris. They were very close, often travelling together and sharing interests in music and drama. They shared a very special bond with the "grandchildren," a collection of treasured stuffed animals which Mary kept close. Mary was comforted in her loss by her son Kevin who returned from his job in Texas to be closer to her. Kevin lived with Mary for the past few years as she dealt with her own failing health. Mary was never without a smile and ready laugh. She took true interest in all of the people she met. And she met and helped a lot of people. Thousands of high school students will always remember Mrs. Pattie's English classes and how much more they learned from her than was in the curriculum. Mr. Carson, a character in Mary's favorite TV show, Downton Abbey, said. "The business of life is the acquisition of memories." Mary has left us all with so many pleasant memories for which we are eternally grateful. Left to cherish her memory are her son Kevin Pattie; step-children Mike (Kim) Fellner and Cindy (Dale) Congden; eight step-grandchildren; and adopted son Lorne Melton. Mary was predeceased by her husband Joseph Fellner; daughter Cheris Pattie; infant sister Berniece; brothers Gerry, Lewis and Bill; and parents Bill and Ida Price. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 3, 2018 from the Camrose United Church with Rev. Brian Hunter and Rev. Mary Ann Pastuck officiating. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the charity of one's choice.