WHITE, Mary Isabel (Nee Buckerfield) April 7, 1923 – February 25, 2015 Que Joia It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary White surrounded her loving family: Gillian Smith (Russell): Jessica, Alex, Amelia, Griffin and Rosie; Ed White (Mariette): Emma and Charlotte. Born in Vancouver BC, Mary was the only child of Amy and Ernest Buckerfield. Mum had a zest and curiosity for life that inspired any and everyone she met in her many and varied journeys. Mum graduated from UBC in 1947 in Honours English. It was at university that she found life long friends through the Players Club. Working in East Berlin for UBC shortly after the end of WWII, assisting German students to come and study in BC, mum narrowly escaped the Berlin Wall Crisis. The 1950's found mum working in London, England for the Lord Mayor's Office as well as for the photographer, Sir Anthony Armstrong Jones. It was here that she developed her life long passion for photography. Music also played a huge part in her life. Her mother, Amy, was one of the founders and life presidents of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. While living in London she met and married Victor – a lyric tenor with the Welsh National and Sadler's Wells Opera, Glyndebourne Opera and The Edinburgh Festival. From London they moved to Milan before returning to Vancouver in the early 60's to begin their family. In Vancouver Dad took up his new role as general manager of the Vancouver Symphony and mum was at his side hosting, among other things, Sunday dinners for visiting artists separated from family due to performance schedules. Mum was never idle. She was interested in everyone and everything. It is from Mum we learned to take delight. After dad's death she picked herself up and created her beloved garden haven on Bowen Island. Our memories of mum include: family skiing at Silver Star and later Whistler with a tapestry project across her lap for the long drives, photography, knitting, decoupage, calligraphy, opera, symphony and in the last few years: colouring. Often her interests would take her to the four corners of the globe to photograph and live her latest curiosity. We were so proud of her that she was able to chronicle many of her life's events in her book: "Buckerfield: The Story of a Vancouver Family". Mum, your generosity, compassion and utter joy for life will be so very deeply missed by everyone who has been lucky to call you friend, wife, mother, granny, Mariah. A Celebration of Mary's life will be held on Friday, April 17th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's (Kerrisdale) Anglican Church, 2490 West 37th Avenue, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Vancouver Academy of Music. "...be good but not too good..."Walkey & Company Funeral Directors 604 738-0006