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| - MacAdam Clan - (Descendants of Alban Bertram and Margaret Tena - MacDonald - MacAdam) Morell, PEI, Canada |
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| 1916 |
| 1967 |
| BIOGRAPHY - MARY ANITA MACADAM (Born: February 23, 1933) During 1933, Richard B. Bennett was the P.M. of Canada and another bundle of joy graced the MacAdam household, adorable 'Mary'. What a happy childhood she had! Playing with her infamous 'boot doll', skating, skipping, swimming, playing ball, and lining up every Saturday for her delicious 5 cent homemade ice cream treat made by Owen Kelly. Life was great until her bike accident with her brother, Babe. Unconscious for two days, not expected to live, people arriving for her wake... this young lady wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet! Her head received twenty-one stitches, but that didn't stop her from continuing on with Girl Guides, piano lessons with Honors at the Toronto Conservatory of Music, receiving the 'Best Conduct' prize for her class in grades 7 & 8, and graduating from grade 12 at Notre Dame Academy in 1951. Mom loved the many parties at the MacAdam household; sing-songs around the piano, dancing - 'good, clean fun' she often said. Her first job was at Tower's Restaurant in Charlottetown, and she was the first, in a long line of female MacAdam's, to work at the Village Diner. The 'smiling girl at the Village Diner' had a secret admirer... a handsome bachelor who conveniently happened to work with her at Scotia Bank in Morell. She also worked at the Halifax branch, but by this time, the Bay boy named Kilmer had swept her off her feet and they were married on September 3, 1956. Mom's choicest treasure is her family: dad, Chris, Colleen, Lynne, Greg, Maureen, and Michael. One of the saddest times in her life occurred when Greg died of crib death at 7 weeks, 5 days. Since that day, our family has always had a special angel watching over us. We needed an angel with all of the bank transfers that mom had to pack and move us for. There were eight in total - four times while pregnant, and once she even went into labour! Their last stop was Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It was 1970 and this would be the place where they would retire together and see their children leave home after graduating from Saint Francis Xavier University. She served many, many meals to 'X' students, helped them find accommodations, and provided a caring home away from home. She truly deserves an honorary 'X' ring! Terry Fox and her brother Gerry are her heroes and her mother, Tena, had the biggest influence in her life. Her parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary was a special memory, especially because Maureen was born just weeks beforehand... the 50th grandchild. Other highlights in mom's life included an invitation to a celebration at St. Mary's Basilica in Halifax when the Pope was present (mom made sure to push her way from the back of the church to within two feet of him). Someone holding almost the same level of high esteem for mom includes the famous Wayne Gretzky (note the shrine as you enter their cottage!). Mom was tickled pink when she was invited to his parents' place where she enjoyed a tour of their home - delving into his treasures and trophies, even trying on some of his sports jerseys while dad's camera clicked away. Her trip-of-a-lifetime occurred in 2002 when she went to Europe with Kilmer, Colleen, & Bill. It was superb, especially with her picture being taken in Saltzburg, Austria, where the Sound Of Music (her favorite - seen at least 25 times) was filmed. Mom enjoys a hardworking and spiritual life that involves lots of caring, sharing, and love. She continues to selflessly volunteer in many organizations in the church and community. At St. Ninian's Parish: Lector, Eucharistic & Hospitality Ministers, CWL & Parish Council member, and an Opportunity Shop volunteer. She is gifted in her abilities to help with Pastoral and Palliative care, going on weekly visits to administer to the sick and/or terminally ill of the Parish. Many a soul, in their final moments on this earth, were in the comfort of mom's care before they passed on. She was a Team Leader for Marriage Encounter & Cursillo weekends and is tireless in her efforts to collect donations and baked food for many organizations. As for Kilmer and the kids, we treasure the fabulous wife, mother, and grandmother that we have been blessed with. Her delicious tweed squares, biscuits and strawberry jam, her prayers when we are in difficulty, the traditions that she carried out to make such wonderful memories: from macaroons to Shrove Tues. coin-filled pancakes to buy candy before Lenten fasts began, to saying the Rosary during car trips to ensure our safe travels; in mom, we have much to be thankful for. Our mom leads by example and, throughout the years, has offered up many wisdoms to her family: live your Catholic faith daily, take care of yourself and your health, be thankful of God's blessings in the beauty of nature, in the warm love of a family, and in the happiness shared with good friends, the truth will set you free, use the gifts God gave you generously, take time to relax and know who you are, and laugh often. Thank you mom. |