Obituary of Mary Hancox
HANCOX MARY R. – The pipes, the pipes are calling…Peacefully on August 26, 2020, at the age of 91, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB; Rose Mary – “Mary” - (Boyne) Hancox; beloved wife of the late Raymond William - “Bill” - Hancox, formerly of Oromocto, NB. Born in Fredericton, NB; she is the daughter of the late Vincent and Marguerite (White) Boyne.
Mom is survived by her daughter Darlene DeAmbrose (Lawrence) of Saint John, NB, sons Bill (Mardie) of Fredericton, NB, Brian (Rochelle Guptill) of Saint John, NB, Brent (Sandi) of Toronto, ON, (little) sister Maureen (late George) Boone of London, ON, sister-in -law Louise (late Ken) Steward of Saint John, NB, grandchildren Chris (Marci), Lara (Jamie Brymer), Kim (David Craig), Nick, Elizabeth (Geordie Andrews), Margaret, great-grandchildren Ciaran, Lilley, Declan, Liam, Aidan, Fallon, Danica, Emma, Isaac, extended grandchildren Mellissa, Elizabeth, Naomi and great grandchild Keegan, former daughter-in-law Austine MacKinnon. Mom is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. Mom (Nana) and Dad (Grampy) were enormously proud of all their family.
Mom was predeceased by her brothers newborn Michael, Vaughan, John, 2nd Engineer James (“Jimmy”), and sisters Pauline (Clarence Whalen), Catherine, Barbara (James McQueen).
Mom, like our Dad, was born and raised in Fredericton, initially in what was Morrisons Mills. Mom’s childhood was not easy, losing her own Mom at 5 years old (the family raised thereafter by their grandparents James and Lucy Boyne), and her brother Jimmy (Merchant Navy) in 1941. Mom loved her siblings. She delivered newspapers on Waterloo Row and worked as a child at the Marysville Cotton Mill. Mom’s stories for her family, though, were of being from a family of Irish from the valley of the Boyne River in County Meath. The Boyne men were primarily stonemasons (Beaverbrook Hotel, Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium, several Fredericton homes) and boxers (especially her Uncles Charlie and professional Irish Jimmy ‘’O’Boyne”), school flower picking contests, enjoyment of school (until beginning full-time work around 1941) fun with friends in Fredericton, knocking the hat off Constable Bert with a snowball, picking vegetables, and loving her brothers and sisters.
Mom and Dad were married in London ON in 1948 and enjoyed over 65 years being each other’s rock and love. Mom and Dad had a full and happy military life, with Dad serving during the Second World War and afterwards until retirement. They had many cherished RCEME friends and proudly raised their family while in Saint John, London ON, Petawawa, Oromocto, and Soest DE. Oromocto became and remained home for Mom and Dad and us kids. Money and food was not always plentiful in the early years but we were never hungry. Mom and Dad managed to instill in us the love for home cooking, the outdoors, sports, and music. Mom’s talent for preparing sweets and preserves were legendary. We were blessed to have Mom and Dad as our parents and we will miss them both enormously, but they are finally together again, now and forever.
Mom was a long-time member of the St. Vincent de Paul Church in Oromocto and a long serving member of the CWL. For many years Mom worked with Canex, CFB Gagetown.
Our family would like to thank the staff and residents of White Rapids Manor for their care and friendship in her final years.
By Mom’s request cremation has taken place. A graveside service of Christian burial will take place at the family plot, Fredericton Hermitage, on September 9, 2020 at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, the Oromocto & Area SPCA (Mom and Dad loved their doggies), or the New Brunswick Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences to the family or donations can be made at www.oromoctofh.com or www.humphreysfh.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care & direction of Humphreys Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street St. Stephen, NB E3L 2B2 (506 – 466 – 3110).
