Mary Geerligs Nutting Obituary in Grande Prairie at Oliver’s Funeral Home & Crematorium

Obituaries

Mary Geerligs Nutting

June 12, 1952 - April 20, 2020

Obituary For Mary Geerligs Nutting

Mary Nutting of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020, at Prairie Lake Hospice after a two year battle with breast cancer at the age of 67 years.

Mary was born in Matsqui, BC, on June 12, 1952. She was the youngest of five children born to Dutch homesteaders, Jan and Jenneken Geerligs. Mary was raised on her parent's farm in Webster, AB, north of Grande Prairie. Mary attended school in Sexsmith, and later at Peace River Bible Institute

In 1979, Mary met and fell in love with a recent import to Grande Prairie, Jeff Nutting. On May 17, 1980, Mary and Jeff got married at the Grande Prairie Alliance Church and moved into a house in Swanavon. Mary and Jeff then had two sons, Robert in 1983, and Jan in 1986. Mary was a very active and attentive mother and spent much of the early years of her son’s lives ferrying them from one activity to the next.

Mary’s career was focused around a passion for public service and began working in the City of Grande Prairie’s Family and Community Support Services department. She would later move onto the City’s accounting department, and the Alberta Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission. She later returned to school at Athabasca University in 1994 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.

In 1997, the family moved to Exmouth, United Kingdom, for a year, while Jeff worked on a sabbatical education project. The family spent much of their time sightseeing and visiting various historical sites. During this time, Mary’s appreciation and love for history grew, and she returned to Grande Prairie with a new focus.

In the year 2000, after several years of volunteering with the Grande Prairie Museum, Mary became the founding Executive Director for the South Peace Regional Archives, where she would work for the next 17 years.

Among her proudest achievements during her work at the Archives, was authoring or participating in the compilation of the following books: Across The Years: The Story of the Red Cross in Northern Alberta (2000), Grande Prairie City: A Pictorial History From 1906-1958 (2003), Flying High: The City of Grande Prairie 1958-2008 (2008), A Grande Education: One Hundred Schools in the County of Grande Prairie 1910-1960 (2010).

Regarding her Archives’ work, Mary once stated “I love the stories about the people. You don’t realize how heroic people are and how much they’ve done until you see all the documents in their life. You realize the things other people have gone through and they still had really good lives. I think that really gives you strength.”

In 2013, Mary worked on a committee to found Aurora Home, a short-term accommodations charity for women at risk in the region. The charity continues its work today under the Rising Above Ministry.

In 2017, Mary retired, with plans to enjoy her family, hobbies, and travelling with her husband. Mary enjoyed gardening, knitting, and quilting, preferably with her friends.

Mary was a woman of faith, who attended the Alliance Church, as well as Church of Christ, in Grande Prairie.

She was a prolific planner, who took meticulous notes. She would often start the day by planning out her time, ensuring that she set aside time to reach out to and pray for her friends and family. This continued even during her treatment.

Mary will be greatly missed by her husband Jeff; her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild: Robert, Adrienne, and James of Vancouver, BC; and her son and daughter-in-law: Jan and Tonia of Grande Prairie.

A small Funeral Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 24, 2020, at Grande Prairie Church of Christ – Mission Heights. Mary is to be interred at the Grande Prairie City Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and medical attendants who cared for Mary during her illness.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society (#204, 10134 97 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7X6).

Services

24 Apr

Funeral Service

Church of Christ - Mission Heights , Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

June 24, 2021

Spilchen Elmer

So saddened Jeff to hear of the passing of Mary. She was a great person to know and we send our sincere sympathies to you and your family. Elmer & Laurel Spilchen
June 24, 2021

Pasieka Shirley

Jeff, I just recently heard of Mary's passing. Both my husband and I send you and your family our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
June 24, 2021

Peterson Trudy

I was so sad to hear of Mary's passing. I had the privilege of speaking with her one day while she was having treatment. We didn't speak long but was so nice to see her. The next thing I knew, she had passed. She did so much for so many...so knowledgable. If you needed an answer, call Mary. To you Jeff & your family, my thoughts are with you. Deepest sympathy to all of you, Trudy Peterson
June 24, 2021

Nock Laurie

Dear Jeff, Robert, and Jan, I'll always remember Mary's beautiful eyes and her strong sense of dignity and respect. And then there's her laugh! You'll miss all of this and much more - but you also experienced her love! I'm so sorry she's gone. Laurie
June 24, 2021

Dingeldein Genelle and Rob

Rob and family, We are so incredibly sorry to hear of your loss. She was an amazing woman who leaves a beautiful legacy. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. With love from Rob & Genelle
June 24, 2021

Burgess Kristin

Jan, I am so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I did not know your mother personally but it is always tragic when we lose a parent. Hold on to the memories you have of her. These memories keep our loved ones with us always.
June 24, 2021

Saunders Janet-Lynne

Thoughts and prayers to Mary's family at this difficult time. I worked with Mary at the GP Museum when she first started there with the Archives. She was an amazing lady, so helpful, and kind. She was so knowledgeable about GP and the history of the area, and so interesting to visit with. She was a wonderful person.
June 24, 2021

Repka Randy

Jeff, sincere condolences in the passing of Mary. I had the pleasure of working with her while transcribing several historical documents in her latter years at the archives as well as serving together on the GP 100th Anniversary History Book Committee. Hold those fond memories close to the heart.
June 24, 2021

DeWinter Julie

I sit here with tears in my eyes yet a small smile on my face and a warmth in my heart, this was the affect of knowing Mary. I worked with her over 13 years at the Museum and my some of my best memories involve Mary. We were a close knit group and Collections (Gary Thate, myself) and Archives (Mary Nutting and Karen Burgess)worked hand in hand every day. When I started it was on the end of the grant on minimum wage position, three months later it became a career as we were all planning and building a new Museum were Collections and Archive worked as one to build our dream. We imagined and created a space like no other where Collections and Archives worked as one. Every coffee time was met with sore muscles and a lot of laughter, with Mary always the mother that kept us (or tried to) in line. At Christmas we had a full meal cooked by the staff to celebrate Christmas together, why, because we were family. When disaster hit, as it always does, we stood together as one. I will always cherish my memories of that time and place, God bless you dear Mary, forever loved by us all. We had a dream and we made it a reality. Julie DeWInter
June 24, 2021

Taylor ( hubby was Bruce) Joan

Had not seen Mary for a few years since retiring. My thoughts of her turn to her quiet smile and as kind being so much apart of her. So sorry for your loss.
June 24, 2021

Rideout Arline

Jeff, I am so sorry to learn of Maryâ??s passing. She was such a gentle soul and I enjoyed working with her many years ago. Someone mentioned her laugh and I do remember her laugh; and her beautiful smile and her warm, caring manner. I hope her many life accomplishments brought her comfort as I am sure her faith did. Edwin and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
June 24, 2021

Bayley Jonathan

Dear Jeff, I was very sorry to hear of Maryâ??s passing. My thoughts are with you. Jonathan Bayley (former music instructor, GPRC) Professor Emeritus, University of Windsor
June 24, 2021

Stanton Susan

Dear Nutting family, I am so sorry to hear about Mary. This belated message to express my condolences comes well after Maryâ??s passing. The distractions of 2020 have played a part in how long it has taken me to write this note but I have spent the past number of months much affected by the news of Maryâ??s death in April. I met Mary in the early 2000s, through the Archives Society of Alberta, when I was beginning my career in archives. She was a kind person and a wonderful role-model. I admired her patience and her commitment to her work. She leaves a wonderful legacy to her community and this province through her achievements at SPRA. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to all of Maryâ??s family. I will keep you in my prayers.

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