Mary Jeanette Christie House
September 29, 1928 to July 31, 2023
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear mother, Mary Jeanette Christie House. Mary died on July 31, 2023 at the age of 94, surrounded by love and kindness in her beloved home.
Mary was born on September 29th, 1928 in Windsor Nova Scotia in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. She is predeceased by her husband Hon. Dr. Arthur Maxwell (Max) House, by her parents Andrew and Evangeline Christie, and her brother David Christie and sister-in-law Florence.
Leaving to cherish memories of a funny, creative, and always determined woman are daughter Rosemary (John) sons Christopher (Pete) and Peter (Colleen), grandchildren Sally (Noah) Emma (Jon) Laura (Dylan) AJ (Michelle) and Evan (Laura) and great-grandchildren Oliver, Austin, Mason, Mila and Isaac.
Mary lived a long and productive life. She raised three children mostly on her own as Max began to build his career. She was a steadfast support for her husband, subsuming her own creative instincts, in the manner of the times. When Max became the 10th Lieutenant Governor of NL Mary served alongside with panache and brought elegance, style and excellent food to the table.
She and Max entertained numerous dignitaries from around the world, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in 1997.
Mary and Max met at Dalhousie University in 1950 and married in Windsor NS in 1952. Max convinced her to come to Newfoundland where they began their new life in isolated Baie Verte before moving to St. John’s in 1955. Theirs was a love match through thick and thin.
Mary was a legendary entertainer and a superb cook. She was a talented seamstress and pianist. She taught all of us to play. She loved singing in the university and church choirs. She gave us pretty much all the creative bones in our bodies. She could be an hilarious story-teller and all round party gal.
The family lived in London UK for several months during the swinging 60’s and mom loved every moment of the great city and the countryside; we were on a mission to visit every single cathedral in the British Isles.
Mary earned her university degree, in Spanish, after her kids were grown. She was an able translator for Max’s travels to Spain and Argentina and together they touched down all over the world. Spain was their special passion abroad. They went year after year.
But more than any other place, Mom loved Glovertown, Dad’s birthplace and their summer home for all our lives. She was the happiest, the sunniest, the sweetest, the kindest when they were there. And on her own Mom peacefully spent several summers puttering and watching the view.
We would like to thank Dr Hurley at St Clare’s for his kind help at the end and we’d like to thank Emergency at St. Clare’s for taking good care of her.
We are so grateful to Tiffany Village and to all the wonderful 8th floor staff for the love and care and kindness they showed Mom right up until the very end. Thank you!
Rest in Peace Mom.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a memorial for Mary at a later date when all her family can be together.
Rosemary,,Christopher, Peter, Sally,, Emma & Family,
Sorry to learn of the passing of your mother and grandmother.
It was my privilege to serve as Private Secretary to Dr House during his period as Lieutenant Governor and my pleasure to have a close personal relationship with him and Mrs House. Mary was always thoughtful, kind and had a wonderful sense of humour. Together they served the Province well as the Vice Regal couple.
I stayed in touch long after they left office but sadly with the death of Judy a year ago I did not reach out as much as I would have liked. May the love they gave you all and the memories of their happy and accomplished lives sustain you through their loss..
Wayne Mitchell
Ottawa
Dear Rosemary, Christopher, Peter and families.
Saddened to hear of “Aunt Mary’s” passing.
I do reminisce about bygone days of New Years Days spent together, of Mom and Aunt Mary having a cigarette and tea at the kitchen table and of times in Glovertown. I am sorry that the pursuit of careers and distance and time has conspired to interrupt our connection.
May the heartache of loss find respite in her life well spent and the comfort of family and friends.
Fraser Noel
So sorry to hear about your Mom. Have many fond memories of your parents visits to my parents’ (Bob and Janet Mowbray) house and seeing your Mom at various concerts, plays, and coffee places. My condolences to family and friends. Take care.
Dear Rosemary, Christopher, and Peter, sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. Mary certainly lived a full and interesting life. She was one of a kind..
Rosemary, Christopher, Peter and Families:
I am so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Our fathers were colleagues at the Waterford Hospital years ago and our mother’s were also well acquainted through Gower Street United Church. It is difficult to lose a parent, but may your wonderful memories provide comfort. Thinking of you all.
Karen (Pottle) Smith
Rosemary, John and family
So sorry to learn of your mother’s passing.
She had a very full life!
With our sympathies
Love Colleen and John
Peter, Colleen and family,
Lisa just shared this sad news. No matter the age, it is so difficult to lose a parent. We don’t remember them ever not being part of our lives. Hoping happy memories – which are no doubt countless – bring you comfort at this difficult time. Please accept my deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother/mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother.
Siobhan
Doug and I are sad to hear of dear Aunt Mary’s passing. She was a lady of grace and beauty in every way, and she had an amazing life. Her memory will live forever. Our sincere condolences to all of the family.
To the family, Please accept our deepest condolences.
Take solace in your beautiful memories.
God bless! ✝️
Very sorry for your loss. Your mother as a lovely neighbour, great friend and wonderful bridge partner to my mother for many years.
To Rosemary,
Katie and I were sad to hear of your mother’s passining. Age notwithstanding, losing one’s mother is a profound milestone. in life. I remember her firm hand-shake and diirect eye to contact when she conversd with you. She was a striking lady. Condolences.. Ken
Oh my, she made me laugh… so many great stories and memories. Love to you all –
To the House Family:
Marie and I have very fond memories of Max and Mary at various MUN events and at Government House as well as Glovertown where Marie’s parents lived in their retirement.
We extend to the House family our most sincere condolences.
Peter and family,
Having lost both of my parents at ages much younger ages than your mom and dad, I, none the less appreciate that the loss of one’s parent still hurts and creates a void in your surviving family. However their long lives were filled with marvellous public, professional and personal achievements of which you may all be justly proud.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Peter and family, I always enjoyed meeting your mom and dad. While our dads were close colleagues, both mom and dad were very good friends with yours, socializing, playing bridge, or just visiting them in Glovertown. Prior to my mom’s passing in June, she would ask me about your mom and would want me to reach out to extend condolences to your family. Their generation is fading quickly and it’s now our turn to carry the torch. Treasure the memories.
Peter and family,
I probably only met your Mom on one or two occasions, so I did not know her well, but she must have been a fine lady because she helped raise a fine family.
It is never easy to say goodbye to a parent, even when they reach a ripe old age, but it is something we all must go through. Let your memories help you through the tough days, and then recall fondly in the future and with a smile, the better family times spent with her and your Dad.
My condolences to you all.
John Roil
Sending sincere sympathy Emma and all the family. We heard many stories of this iconic lady at work and I know how much she meant to you all. May she rest in peace.
I was so saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. When your parents came to Glovertown in the summer & I moved back home, I would visit & share a meal or two with them. After your Dad died, I used to take yr Mom to the road-side farm near Gambo & would often go to lunch with her. I so enjoyed our times together! They were dear friends of my parents, my father having grown up with the House boys, always referred to your Dad as his brother. Our sincere condolences to your families! Gail & Ed Farrell
Lots of very dear thoughts and memories of your mother and dad. Trips to Maccles with my father and mother. Visits in Glovertown.
Thinking of you all at this time.
Drexel and Nancy Sparkes