Mary Jean Canby

Mary’s life was a testimony to the faithfulness of God . Born prematurely in a rural home, Mary’s first bed as a “miracle baby” was a clothes basket placed under the kitchen potbellied stove to keep her warm 24/7. Mary was a churchgoer all her life. At about 42 years old, she had an epiphany. She clearly heard and understood the Good News, repented, and placed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. The following decades of her service to family, neighbors, and church community now came flowing out of the heart of God through her.

After a short illness, Mary passed away at her home in Walla Walla, Washington, into the arms of Jesus and with bittersweet goodbyes from her three children and pastor.

Mary’s strong work ethic was shaped by her years growing up with her younger brother on a dairy / mixed crop farm near Williamsburg, Iowa, during the Great Depression years. As a teenager, she broke horses to ride. Her mom was an English teacher who often sang I Know That My Redeemer Liveth and other solos at church. Mary’s faith strengthened as she sang hymns in a church choir while attending and graduating from Iowa State College with a BSc. in Home Economics in 1947.

Mary taught Home Economics at Winfield High School in Iowa. She met and later married area farmer / WWII Navy veteran / Carlton University economics graduate Arthur Canby in late 1952. For nearly 64 years, Mary followed and supported Arthur in his career and moves, making friends wherever she went. Those included short stays in California and New Zealand and mixed farming / livestock raising in Iowa, Oregon, and British Columbia, Canada. They retired to Washington state (Bellingham and sunny Walla Walla since 2000). As their children grew more independent, Mary also substitute taught Home Economics in Oregon schools near home.

Mary’s example in the home, the kitchen, the garden, on the tractor, and in the community instilled a sense of teamwork in her family. She lived a lifestyle of welcoming others to their table. She was adept at putting together family picnics, which might include coming to the wooded edge of fields where Arthur would be working long days to get the crop in or take it off.

The travel by ship through the South Pacific and six months in New Zealand ignited a lifelong interest amongst the older Canby’s in other cultures. The family listened to various types of music, Mary prepared different ethnic foods, and the children were exposed to other languages at the supper table. Mary was a hostess for some years in the Stonecroft Neighborhood Coffee Hour Ministry. At times, she also taught Sunday School. She read her Bible and participated in small group Bible studies and prayer groups faithfully to the last.

Arthur and Mary encouraged their three children to travel / study briefly in Europe independently before they were 20 years old. Arthur’s “itchy foot” penchant saw him and Mary visiting several countries in Europe or Asia once they were empty nesters. Imagine how adaptable and resilient Mary had trained herself to be in this lifestyle of living in various places, traveling, and exercising the gift of hospitality! She was loyal, unassuming, and frugal.

Besides being extremely generous and encouraging people (especially through her intercessory prayers, cards, letters, and emails), Mary loved gardening, canning, baking, and sewing. Even though she left the farm over 50 years ago, Mary still faithfully followed the weather wherever she or her children lived!

As a modern-day Dorcas ( who was always doing kind things for others in Acts 9:36-42), Mary became well known for her volunteer sewing projects. These included aprons, tote bags for new moms through Birthright, Covid cloth masks, and over 200 dresses made from pillowcases for orphan girls in the Caribbean or Africa.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Agnes Blythe of Williamsburg, Iowa, her husband Arthur of Walla Walla, Washington and her younger brother Mervin of Williamsburg, Iowa.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Jean (Dale) of Walla Walla, WA; sons, Phil (Patsy) of Damascus, OR, and Herb (Lynn) of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, three nieces or nephews; and several grand nieces or nephews.

All who knew Mary were impressed with her friendship and positive outlook on life. She was a grand lady who will be greatly missed. But she has now laid her crown of righteousness at the feet of Jesus and joined the multitudes of Heaven in praising the Lord and bidding all who are thirsty to come and drink freely from the Water of Life”.

“ For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” II Chronicles 16:9a

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 628 Lincoln St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm, followed by light refreshments and sharing of memories.

Mary’s children can be reached at:

braemarj@gmail.com (Jean Henry)

philcanby@gmail.com (Phil Canby)

herb.canby@gmail.com (Herb Canby)