Mrs. Mary Joan Campbell

Mrs. Mary Campbell of High River, Alberta passed away at AgeCare Shawnee in Calgary on July 5, 2026 at the age of 92 years. Mary was born in Drumheller, Alberta and was the youngest of a family of eleven. Her parents were William Guterson Sr., and Antoinette Guterson (nee, Lefebre) both immigrants from Holland. Mary loved her large family; she grew up in the hills along the Red Deer River. She finished her schooling in Drumheller and became a telephone operator for Alberta Government Telephones eventually becoming Chief Operator. Drumheller days consisted of joining the local swim club and high diving board, which she excelled at. She also swam at many swim meets with her dear friends, and won many metals. Mary also played ice-hockey for the local Elk’s Club as their sponsors. She was a forward and could skate away from the burly girls who wanted to flatten her. She also loved to skate at the rink to the beautiful Strauss Waltz’s with her friends, who at the end, played Pom-Pom-Pull-Away, always confined to the end because they knew she could skate away and not get hurt. She also loved tobogganing in the winter, in the Hills trying to avoid all the rocks. Her many nieces and nephews loved their Auntie Meme (because Mary was hard to say). On to Calgary in 1955; oh, that big city was pretty foreign land, she even got lost in the Hudson’s Bay store and couldn’t figure out how to catch the streetcar home. Finally, she bowed her head and said, “I’m going to make it.” She acquired a very good job as telephone operator and receptionist for Gulf Oil. Located on the sixth floor of the Hudson’s Bay Company Building, she could find her way there! In Calgary, she met this handsome man, tall, on a date, and it was Stampede week. Now, this guy took her heart. She learned rodeo life, but he made his money in business. They were married in 1957 in Drumheller, it seemed like the whole town was there - mostly her relatives. Lee had one sister, her name was Mary, so he would not forget his wife’s name. On to High River and we bought the old Elite Schoolhouse on the outskirts of High River. Elite it was not. An outdoor outhouse, a 2-holer kind, she said, “the truckers are sure friendly. They honk their horns when you’re running out to the can.” Now this city girl said “Lee, we need an indoor toilet. Winter is coming.” The flies knew it too and the house was infested. Dutchmen clean so they got the house clean and Lee said, “Oh you are a good baker, and a cook” and she said, “Well, I guess I’m in love.” This turned out to be a great move. A family was raised, the kids were taking camping in a tent trailer mostly during rodeo time. Mary went to work for Going Auction Market by the old cemetery and for a very very short time, was a teller at the Royal Bank. Then on to Farmway Machinery where she finished up her work life. She also did accounting as a secretary treasurer for the Medicine Tree Manor - she loved the old seniors. Now for a bit of history, as for her memory, you can hardly stump her. She helped the curator at the Highwood Museum and wrote memoirs for so many nieces and nephews, because family is so important. She was predeceased by all her sisters and brothers, Annie, Nettie, Bill, Dolly, Frances, Margaret, Theresa, Adolf, George, Patricia, and her Mom and Dad, and the love of her life - her husband Lee in 2004. She is survived by her son Casey (Alex), her daughter Nora, and granddaughter Alicia, as well as many nieces and nephews who she really loved. When Lee died. The suitors came calling, she said, “welcome, oh it’s nice you dropped by, come in for coffee, sit down in the corner, because I need to tell you fellas that some of you have designs and you’re looking for a nurse and a great big purse! Well fellas, you’re always welcome but I’m not a nurse and I really take care of my own purse, because I’m going to spend it like there’s no tomorrow!” They ran out the door and never came back. She forged on, she made a really great life and ended up still cooking, baking cookies and cakes, and sharing it all, because her door was always open. Come in, she might tell you a good joke - not dirty ones because she didn’t like that kind, but welcome you will always be. Service announcements will be made shortly. “Don’t stand at my grave and weep, no flowers, because you know I wanted flowers when I could grow them and smell them in my garden. Now just remember, grow some good food, can it, preserve it, and share it because when you leave this world, whatever you gave away in your hand you will get left with a feeling of pride because you sure can’t take it with you.” Families Are forever, have a great big laugh, and love one another. Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.4242.

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Mrs. Mary Joan Campbell

January 31, 1934 - July 5, 2026