It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Elizabeth Head-MacDonald on August 18, 2025, at the age of 85. She passed peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital with family by her side.

Mary was born on March 8, 1940, in Grande Prairie, AB, to Francis (Ted) and Ethel Mercer. As the only child of Francis and Ethel, she was raised on the family homestead in Clairmont until her father’s passing in 1942. Her mother remarried in 1943, and Mary was adopted by her stepfather, Walter Rathwell, in the same year. The family of three continued to live on the homestead in Clairmont until Walter’s passing in 1945, after which Mary and her mother moved to Grande Prairie.

Growing up with her mother, Ethel, as her only family, Mary was thrilled to be welcomed into the Head family when she married Lloyd Head in 1959. Mary and Lloyd moved back to the family homestead in Clairmont, where they raised three children. After Lloyd’s passing in 1977, Mary remarried James Findlay “Fin” MacDonald from Debolt in 1987. Mary and Fin spent much of their time traveling back and forth between the Debolt and Clairmont farms.

Mary started her education in Clairmont, then finished her schooling in Grande Prairie. Following high school, Mary moved to Calgary to undergo training to be a nursing assistant. She worked at the Grande Prairie General Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital before finishing her career working in Dr. Molnar’s office. She never really put her nursing training to rest, as she was always known to check in on her fellow residents at Prairie Lakes Seniors Community, whether it was to check a blood pressure or change a bandage. She was their Florence Nightingale.

Mary was very proud to be from one of the original homesteads of this area. Her father came over the Edson Trail in 1911 to stake his claim on the homestead at Clairmont, and her stepfather in 1914. Mary was delighted to see the third and fourth generations continue farming this land. She was always wanting to keep on top of what was being seeded, how much it rained, what the crops were yielding, and what the grain prices were doing.

Socializing with family and friends was Mary’s greatest joy. She made many friends and touched many people’s lives over the years through her work in the health profession and volunteering with the Legion and Royal Purple. She liked music, dancing, entertaining at the lake, and enjoying the finer things in life. She made the most of her retirement years by travelling to different places with groups of friends. She also developed a green thumb in retirement by growing bountiful plants and flowers, something she was quite proud of.

Mary will be remembered by her children: Ron Head (Darla), Elizabeth Jessen (Chris), and Murray Head (Sandra); grandchildren Travis (Kayla), Jasmine, Kylar (Amber), Chalyce (Chad), Spencer, Adam (Brittany), Michael, and Kyle (Jordyn); great-grandchildren Kinsley, Kian, Levi, as well as the children of Fin MacDonald; sisters-in-law Carol Head, Marjorie Head, and Muriel Dupuis; brother-in-law Leslie Head; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mary was predeceased by her husbands, Lloyd Head and Findlay MacDonald; grandson Shane Head; parents Francis Mercer, Walter Rathwell and Ethel Rathwell; in-laws Mae and Bill Head, Percy Head, Lorne Head, Isabelle Head, Rick Lawrance, Dan Lawrance and Angie Van Achte; as well as special friend Melvin Quick.

A funeral service will be held for Mary at Christ Church Anglican (6610 Poplar Drive, Grande Prairie) on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:00 am, followed by interment at the Grande Prairie Cemetery (84th Ave and 112 St) and a luncheon at the Grande Prairie Elks Hall (10806-106 St).

A livestream link will be available 10 minutes prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Legion Branch #54 (https://www.legion.ca/donations), the Grande Prairie Elks Lodge #285 (Box 843, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8V 3R5), or to a charity of your choice.