Mary Frances Pratt (nee West)
August 14, 2018
Obituary
Mary Frances Pratt (nee West), born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, March 15 1935 to The Hon W.J. West and Katherine Eleanor West (nee McMurray); passed peacefully away surrounded by her family and caregivers on August 14, 2018, aged 83.
Predeceased by infant son David (1976). Leaving to mourn former husband and closest friend Christopher Pratt, former husband James Rosen of New York, sister Barbara Cross (George), children John (Tracy), Anne (Dean), Barbara, Ned (Andree); grandchildren Katherine (Adam), Elizabeth (Scott), Christopher (Sarita), Keir (Kate), Christina (Kyle), Alexander (Jessica), Jacob (Sarah), Claire (Dan), Phillip (Laura), Peter and Nathan; great grandchildren Thomas and Henry; nephews Peter (Jennifer) and Tom (Tanya). The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the excellent care Mary received in her last months. Special thanks to her personal assistant, Brenda Kielley, her team of loving and dedicated caregivers: Terrilyn Penney, Kayla White, Terri Tobin, Chantille Engram, Shannon Moore, Alesia Saranaweera, Emily Gullage, Clare Thorp and Sarah Roberts; Dr. Roger Butler and his team; the Miller Centre Palliative Care team; and the many medical professionals who worked so hard to ensure she was safe and comfortable. Her life was immeasurably improved by your professionalism, your compassion and your care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Canadian Lung Association, The Arthritis Society of Canada, The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador, the Shallaway Youth Choir or the charity of your choice. A memorial will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2p.m. from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Queen’s Road, St. John’s. Following the service a reception in her honour will be held at The Rooms from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Schedule
funeral
2:00pm, Saturday August 25th
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
My mother, who remembers Mary as a childhood friend has asked me to write to you to express her condolences and share her early memories of a family friendship between Mary’s parents and my mother’s, parents, the Donald and Doris Smith of Fredericton. My mother speaks so fondly of the fun she had with Mary when their parents gathered. My mother moved to Ontario at age 8, and kept loosely in contact with Mary, however followed her career and collected a painting or two, with interest and love. There is so much to celebrate in Mary’s life, we enjoy talking about her and hearing my mothers stories.
Elizabeth Kingstone for Peggy Kingstone (Peggy/Margaret Smith)
As distant cousins growing up in Fredericton, we knew Mary and Barbara better through their adult accomplishments. We want to express our profound sympathy to Mary;’s family and especially to Barbara.
Mary’s “Substance of Light” shines on!
Sincerely, Tom and Wendy Myles
To Barbie and family: our deepest condolences on this heartbreaking loss. What more can we add to these glowing tributes? We’re just so sad for you. Laurel, Nancy and Don Keating
To the family we send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences. We knew Mary as a kind and generous neighbour, who often had time for a chat over the fence. She was, of course, a brilliant artist whom we admired unconditionally but to us, with her wonderful laugh, she was much more .
Dear Anne and family, very very sad for your loss, please accept my deepest condolences.
To Ned and family,
So very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.Please accept my heartfelt condolences
To Mr. Pratt and his family .
Sending my deepest condolences to all
the family .
My husband and I became drawn to your mother’s art when she did the art for the cookbook “Across the Table” soon, being an avid CBC listener I heard her voice and became an avid fan. When we came home to Nfld that summer we went looking for The Images of Good Friday in St. John’s. However, not surprisingly we learned most of those were claimed before the cook book was published. We then settled for three of her images of making bread, since bread making was a well known craft in our home. I have cherished these three images of Mary Pratt now for over thirty years. Of course they are part of your mom’s legacy and they will be treasured even more in our home. Sincere condolances during this sad time, but may precious memories keep her ever close. Judy and Fred Carpenter Truro, NS, via Grand Bank and Lewisporte
To Christopher and Family,
Mary was a very kind person who helped me with my watercolours. Sending my deepest condolences to all the family.
Marty Woodworth
Chris -Anne -John and extended family of Mary
Several years ago I gave my wife Chris the piece entitled “ Pears on a green glass plate “ .
Mary wrote her a very beautiful note to accompany the gift wherein she explained her inspiration for the painting.
This truly showed the class and good nature of this remarkable person.
She had a full and extremely productive life.
Sincere condolences to all whom she is endeared
May her eternal rest be in peace.
Mr. Pratt, John, Anne, Barbie, Ned & Family. I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your life partner and mother. She was truly a gracious lady if there ever was one. May your pleasant memories, of which I am sure there are many, help carry you all in your time of grief. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Sincerely,
Kenny
Mary’s almost subversive way of suggesting and then achieving the impossible made her a very powerful person. Her amazing strength was tempered by her compassion for all who were fortunate enough to become her friends. Bright as a button with those flashing eyes, laughter was laced through her conversations, and, what an engaging and interesting conversationalist she was.
Mary’s art survives, a gift to us all but with her death a light has been extinguished.
My most sincere condolences to Christopher and to Mary and John and Barbie and Ned.
To Christopher and family. Her beautiful artwork will remain forever in our memories her presence will always remain with you Mary has certainly left quite an impact on us newfoundlanders a very sad moment but a life so well lived our thoughts are with you
To the Christopher and the Pratt Family,
A very sad moment when we heard that Mary had died. Such an artistic icon combined with a warm and gracious lady.
She and the Pratt family were some of the first families we met when we first came toNewfoundland in 1971.
The luminosity and sheen of her paintings of simple objects will remain in our memory of her.
Thanks for all you gave us Mary. Geoff and Mabel Farmer
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a great customer of mine for many years , always a smile and great conversations. I will remember her fondly. Her beautiful artwork and many charities , the gallery she was involved in establishing in Bay Roberts and her many other accomplishments will be her legacy. Fabulous lady and great loss to our society.
My sincere condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time and loss .
To Christopher and Family;
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Mary, a beautiful, gracious lady. We are so grateful for her support in establishing the Christopher Pratt Gallery in Bay Roberts, and proud to have exhibited her art over the past 18 years.
Personally, and on behalf of the bay Roberts Heritage Society, we extend sincere condolences.
Eric and Betty Jerrett.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF A NICE PERSON MY HEART GOES OUT TO HER FAMILY AND HER FIREND AT THIS TIME
To the Pratt Family .
My connections go way back to the St. .John’s families , when my father and J.C .Pratt were good friends and I became aware of the artistic taaent of Christopher , Phillip and thru Barbara ( her sister ) and George Crosss in Fredericton , when I lived there. ! Mary’s creative talents will linger on invinitnume . My deepest xympzthies to the family
To Christopher and the Pratt family
We are very saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. She was not only a great artist and a wonderful human being, she brightened the lives of everyone that knew her. While born outside the province, we Newfoundlanders embraced her and claimed her as one of our own. Canada and the arts community around the world have lost a great national treasure.