Mary Jane Epp Neufeld - 28 Mar 1919 - 8 Feb 1971

The Celebration of Life for this loving and appreciated Sister took place in the Willingdon MB Church on Thursday February 11th 1971. In her home, she was the sunshine and always had the right comforting words.

Many guests had come. Rev. George Letkeman led the celebration. The requested song spoke of the rest, the peace and the joy that we have in the Lord.

As well, from the songs that the trio sang, we heard of the riches we have in Jesus Christ and that, even in suffering, we can depend on Him.

Rev. D.B. Wiens read Psalm 34:1 - "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." We also heard that in her life, everything contributed to extol and praise the Lord. Her body was laid to rest at Ocean View Burial Park, where Rev. H.G. Classen read from 1 Corinthians 15 and prayed.

The ladies of the Church had prepared a meal and everyone was invited to partake.

Biography:
My dear wife Mary Neufeld, nee Epp was born March 28, 1929 in Rosenbach, Füerstenland in the Ukraine of Russia. Her father was a minister of the gospel and the maiden name of her mother was Elizabeth Paetkau.

In 1926 Mary came to Canada with her parents who first settled in Waldheim, Saskatchewan, and they moved from there to Yarrow B.C. in 1928. She received her elementary schooling in Yarrow and she attended Elim Bible School and the Sharon Mennonite Collegiate. Later she entered nurses' training at Vancouver General Hospital, graduating at as a Registered Nurse (R.N.) in 1950. Since then she has worked in various hospitals, almost without any breaks between jobs. Because she worked by God's grace and did her work in a friendly, conscientious manner, she gained many friends and became a true channel of blessing to many patients.

We were married April 4, 1958 at the Vancouver MB Church, 43rd Avenue. By the grace of God we were able to share almost thirteen years together in harmony and happiness. Mary had won a place in the hearts of my children and grandchildren.

The most important event in her life was in the year 1935, still in Yarrow, when she accepted Jesus Christ at her personal saviour and was baptized that same year, upon confession of her faith by Rev. John A. Harder and accepted as a member of the Yarrow MB Church. She remained a faithful member of the Mennonite Brethren Church although we were members in several different MB congregations.

It is hard to understand that Mary, who was always a picture of good health and strength should be taken away in her best years. Truly, God's ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. It has pleased the Lord to take her to Him on Monday, February 8th, 1972 at 2:45 in the afternoon. Her only wish, that she often expressed, was to honor God, in life or in death. She had achieved the victory and could say: "Not my will, but Thy will be done." She reached the age of 51 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Mary was predeceased by her parents Jacob & Elizabeth Epp and one brother as an infant. She leaves to mourn: her husband John Neufeld, children Bruce & Sue Neufeld, 7 grandchildren; 4 brothers and their families: George of Yarrow; Isaac of Abbotsford; Jake of Black Creek; Peter of Yarrow; 4 sisters: Tina (Henry) Dahl and family, Yarrow; Elizabeth (Isaac) Schmidt and family San Jose, California; Sue Epp of Vancouver; and Helen (Jack) Schellenberg and family of Vancouver.

It was not easy for me to say: "Your Will be done!", but by God's grace we too will overcome. It seems to me that I hear her saying: "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! (Psalm 34:3).

The sorrowing family,
John Neufeld, children and grandchildren.