THIESSEN, Martha "Mardy" Martha Neufeld Thiessen was born on July 21, 1939 to John & Mary Neufeld in Drake, Saskatchewan. At the age of 4, Mardy’s family moved to Yarrow (British Columbia) by train where she grew up with her dad, mom and 2 brothers, Ed and Len and attended Yarrow Elementary Junior High School, Chilliwack High School.

Mardy grew up in Yarrow B.C. She accepted Jesus as her Saviour and was baptized at age 16 and accepted as a member of Yarrow M.B. Church. Throughout her life, her personal relationship to Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of how she lived. After graduating from Chilliwack High School in 1958, Mardy attended Bible School for 4 months in East Chilliwack before nurses’ training at the Vancouver General Hospital. Upon graduation in 1962, she worked in Vancouver, Glendale (California), Winnipeg (while attending the M.B. Bible College) and Calgary. She attended Highland Mennonite Brethren Church where she met her husband, Jake. T hey were married on July 10th, 1965. Their daughter, Sharon, was born in 1967 followed by Kevin (1969) and Brad (1973). Mardy chose to stay at home to raise her three children. After taking a refresher course in 1985, Mardy worked as a nurse at several walk-in clinics.

Mardy enjoyed travelling with her family and there are many fond memories of camping and hoteling across Canada and United States, visiting family in California, cruises (Alaskan, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama), and touring Europe and Bali. Her volunteering experiences included Daily Vacation Bible School in Ontario/Quebec, Pioneer Girls Club, MCC Thrift Shop, Ten Thousand Villages warehouse in Akron, PA with her husband and a kitchen caterer co-ordinator at Dalhousie Church. Her hobbies and interests were singing in the choir, crocheting afghans, scrapbooking photobooks, doing puzzles, baking and spending time with her grandchildren.


In 2015, Mardy and Jake celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. An Alaskan Cruise with their children and grandchildren was a highlight. In March 2016, Mardy received the news that her cancer had returned after her original diagnosis in 2011. In mid-April, she had a mild stroke due to the cancer and spent the last six weeks at the Sarcee Hospice where she continued to live out her Christian faith and shared her hope and anticipation of going to heaven.

Mardy passed away peacefully June 10, 2016 (Calgary, Alberta) with her husband by her side, and went home to be with her Lord and Saviour. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Jake; children Sharon, Kevin (Jen), Brad (Teresa); grandchildren Owen, Jesse, Nicholas, Kate; brother Len (Joyce); as well as many extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents John & Mary Neufeld and her older brother Ed Neufeld.

Graveside Service was held at Queen’s Park Cemetery on Saturday, June 18th at 9:00 am. Those attending met at the cemetery gates. The Celebration of Life service was held at Dalhousie Church June 18th 2016.

   Back L-R: Teresa & Brad, Jesse, Nicholas, Kevin & Jen
Front L-R: Mardy with Kate, Jake, Sharon and Owen.
Christmas 2015