Bryden (Rolland), Mary Alice - Obituaries | Funeral Home Ottawa
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Bryden (Rolland), Mary Alice

BRYDEN (ROLLAND), Mary Alice

1940 - 2023

Mary Alice Bryden (née Rolland)

November 25, 1940 – July 11, 2023

Mary Bryden passed away peacefully in her home as she wished. Mary was born in Montreal to Alice Catherine Phelan and Lewis Skaife Rolland of Westmount. Married to David Bryden from 1964 to 1996. Beloved Mama Bryden to Catherine Bryden, Michael Bryden (Cassie and daughter Lucy) and Geoffrey Bryden (Chantal de Ruette). Sister to Charlie Rolland (Janet), children Shelley Rolland-Poruks (Peter) and Gavin Rolland (Holly Mailman-Rolland).

Mary was a people person and devoted her life to community service: as a nurse at St Mary’s hospital in Montreal (graduated 1962) and Unitarian House (Ottawa), to city councillor for Gloucester, board member for the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) and Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) for 40 years, to co-founding Gloucester Family Day Care (Global Child Care), to managing day camps, parks programs, Gloucester Fair, to president of the condo board at Hillsview until she was 80!

Special mention for their friendship and support to Marion Greenside (Paul), Niki Lyon and Sara Sparks and kitties Ebony, Nipper and Cali. Grand merci to the caring palliative teams at the Montfort Hospital and Bruyère.

A celebration of life will be held on July 29, 14:00, at 915 Elmsmere Road, Gloucester. (Scent free event – thanks!) In lieu of flowers, please plant or adopt a tree in Mary’s name through the Rideau Valley Conservation, www.rvcf.ca. It was her favourite way to honour those she loved.

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13 messages received

Cathy, Michael & Cassie, Geoff & Chantal, Charlie, Shelley & Peter, Gavin & Holly

Mary was a kind & generous person who really loved all her family including all her cousins. She was so up-beat & cheerful it was always lovely to be around her. She was one of the most empathetic people I've ever known & I will miss her terribly. Love to all. xoxo

Marguerite Rolland, July 19, 2023

Cathy Michael Jeffrey

You are among the very lucky who had an extraordinary mum…after an extraordinary grandmama. People so smart yet so kind and caring and with an unbeatable energy for goodness and life. Mary was unsinkable and her love is still all around us. Hope you feel her courage in you. Love and thoughts and blessings on you all!

Queenie, July 19, 2023

Bryden Family

I will miss my dear friend Mary. She was such a great lady to talk to and give advice when needed. Being next door to her my husband and I were always there with a helping hand for her. Rest in peace my friend and we will meet again. Love and miss you.

Marion Greensides, July 20, 2023

Catherine

Awe, Zulu, I know the loss of a parent well. My heartfelt sympathies and the biggest hugs to you.
Love Gayle

Gayle Dill , July 20, 2023

|Bryden family

Sorry to hear the passing of your mom, she will be missed in Breadalbane

Jack Berdan, July 21, 2023

Bryden Family

I worked with Mary for a number of years while she was on the Board of C.C.C. No. 17. Mary was so dedicated and very smart. Her retention of historical details was astounding. Mary was very kind and supportive. She loved to laugh and truly loved her kitties, family and friends. I am honoured to have known her. Rest in peace dear Mary.

Monika Deegan

Monika Deegan, July 24, 2023

Mary Bryden

Mary, it was great to work with you for over 20 years on the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation... those were the good years. You were indeed the rock of the Foundation! Rest in peace my friend.
- Pat MacGregor

Pat MacGregor, July 24, 2023

Geoff, Catherine, Michael and Charlie

I loved Mary as a good friend as well as family. I will miss her, our conversations; Mary was always available for me to bend her ear with whatever schemes or plans I was about. We had a lot of fun together when I was in Ottawa or the years she was able to travel to the Upper House. We'd go for drives, or dinner or just hang out. We all leave this earthly plane, but for those still remaining, we miss the ones who go before us. Much Love your cousin, Sara

Sara Sparks, July 24, 2023

MiKe, Cathy, Geoff and Family

We have fond memories of sharing good times at the upper house. Playing music, laughing , drinking and eating lobster! This was Mary in her happy place. And a memories of her that we will always treasure.

Josef (Pepi) Krajc, July 24, 2023

Mary's Family

I'm so sorry we have lost Mary. My sympathy to all her family and friends. Mary came to our home in Valois to visit now and again when I was growing up in the 60s. She knew my grandfather well and visited him in hospital several times. She was warm-hearted with a great sense of humour and I shall miss the telephone chats we had.
I'll continue praying for her and her family.
I'll be thinking of you on the 29th of July.
Arabella

Arabella Rolland, July 24, 2023

Michael, Cathy, and Geoff

I'm thinking of you all so much and holding you tightly as you move through this journey. I have many fond memories of Mama B, especially at the Upper House. She was most happy with her family around her and in such a beautiful place like St. George. I loved to gab with her about City politics and admired her dedicated service to community. She will be forever in my memory picking blueberries in the front field and singing along at family gatherings in the living room of the Upper House (and at times belly bumping with Michael T on the dance floor)! xo

Cherryl Masters, July 24, 2023

the family of Mary

Thankful for a chance to say"goodbye" to Sara's cousin Mary. I have spent many a lunch or midafternoon break from my clinic in St. George to have a heated discussion with Sara and Mary. We debated absolutely everything and time felt like it was just standing still. We all had definite opinions, perhaps Mary, and she was always ready to take up the opposing viewpoint in any conversation.

My recollection of her is one of her enjoying standing on her feet, not sitting, as we pushed around one idea or another in Sara's kitchen...tea cooling on the counter.

She was joy and will be very much missed.

Patty Pendleton, Deer Island

Patty Pendleton, July 25, 2023

Michael, Cathy and Goeffrey

Very sad to hear of Mary's passing. I was just recently telling my daughters about the summer we Marstons spent in New Brunswick at the family home in the country. It was an original off-the-grid experience where meals were cooked on the wood stove and nighttime games of Blink were lit by candle and lantern. Mary's hearty laugh was a great part of the soundtrack of those wonderful evenings. It was a long time ago and I don't even think we were there for very long. Still, it made a lasting impression on my brothers and I. Due, in no small part, to your mother's welcoming, jovial spirit. Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time. All the best. - Yvan Marston

Yvan Marston, July 29, 2023