Mary Edith BAIRD

ROAF, Mary Edith November 13, 1913 - October 15, 2009 Passed away at age 95 -- gone to sit on a board, to champion the cause and preserve the heritage of another place. Trees throughout downtown Vancouver are part of her legacy. Born in Fredericton, NB, Mary moved to Vancouver at a young age with her parents, George and Edith Baird. She graduated from Crofton House School and later received a diploma from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. During WW2 she served in the Women's Auxiliary of the Seaforth Highlander's of Canada and the Junior League of Vancouver. In the 1950s and 1960s she became President of the Vancouver Community Arts Council, Chair of the Civic Auditorium Board, and served on the boards of the Vancouver Festival Society, Playhouse Theatre Company and the Vancouver Centennial Committee, Community Planning Association of Canada and Vancouver Art Gallery Auxiliary. During her years in Ottawa from 1966 to 1994, Mary served as Vice-President of A Capital for Canadians and of a heritage group she co-founded, Action Sandy Hill. Predeceased by husband Brig. Gen. William G. H. Roaf in 1979, and grandson John in 1998, Mary is survived by her sons, John (Gin), Alan (Bonnie) and Peter (Elise), and grandchildren, Emma, Annabel and James, extended family and good friends of all generations. Memorial service, to celebrate a long life well lived, at St. Mary's Anglican Church, Vancouver, Tuesday, October 27, 2 pm. In lieu of flowers please contribute to a charity of your choice. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 10/20/2009