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Fernie loses its matriarch
e-KNOW Editorial
By Ian Cobb
The City of Fernie has lost its matriarch.
That’s how I saw Mary Giuliano, who passed away August 17 in Fernie, her family by her side.
Mary was a City of Fernie Councillor when I first met her, along with being a noted interviewer of Fernie and area newsmakers and doers. Carrie introduced me to Mary. She considered Mary her second mother, as she provided enormous comfort for her after the death of her mother Velma.
Hence my view of Mary as Fernie’s matriarch, with no disrespect meant to other incredible women in the city.
A dedicated city servant for many years, Mary approached her work with the focus of a mother – with love of her fellow citizens and city her driving force.
She was an astute local politician for Fernie and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), representing her city and region with great distinction and class. When she spoke, people listened. And what made Mary such an effective leader was she listened to people and she heard them. She didn’t suffer fools but she had a heart of gold. Anyone who had the privilege of getting to know her saw that time and time again.
Take it from these current and former regional leaders.
“It breaks my heart to make this post. Yesterday (August 17) we lost a true Kootenay East icon. Primarily known for her role as Fernie Mayor, Mary Giuliano was so much more,” stated Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka.
“She served on the Fernie Library Board for nine years, was a member of the Kinettes/Kinsmen Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Legion, PAC, Fernie Kids Club, and the Fernie Derrick Society. She helped organize several demonstrations to maintain health care services in the local hospital. She also organized a highway traffic stop to bring national media attention to keeping the hospital’s operating room open and advocated for changes to home support services.
“She was instrumental in successfully acquiring a dialysis unit at the Sparwood Health Centre, ensuring that Elk Valley clients no longer had to travel to Fort Macleod or Trail for treatment several times a week.
“Mary even had her own volunteer TV show hosting many of those in her own home with her husband Nick. She wrote for the Fernie Free (e-KNOW and Fernie.com). To say she was a busy woman would be an understatement.
“Mary was a mentor of mine when I was a director for the RDEK and hospital board. Her calm, cool demeanour and common sense inspired me to be the same. Always with a smile and a kind gesture, Mary never spoke ill of anyone and she wore her heart on her sleeve. I will truly miss this incredibly strong leader of our community. Her thoughts and prayers that she shared with her community are now being mirrored by Kootenay East as we send our sincerest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Nick, family and friends for the immortal and much loved Mary Giuliano.”
Former Kootenay East MLA and provincial cabinet minister Bill Bennett said on social media, “There was politics but far more importantly there was the human being who cared for everyone, genuinely. I have no doubt that God has taken you in and given you a high position. The rest of us can only strive to be the person you always were, loving, open, kind. Our world is not as good as it was before you left us. Getting old is ok but losing such a heroine, such a saint, is the absolute pits.”
Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison observed, “Mary’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Fernie. Mary’s time as Mayor she led the Town with wisdom and compassion. Her volunteer work touched countless lives, embodying the true spirit of community. Mary’s passion for Fernie and its people will continue to inspire us for years to come. I am grateful for her service and the lasting impact she made on many lives.”
Friend and fellow former mayor (of Sparwood) and RDEK director, Lois Halko said, “She loved her family tremendously and looked forward to entertaining all of them after they moved to the city and came back for occasions and frequent visits. Her family dinners were famously likened to a huge feast!
“Mary was a born leader who loved her community of Fernie immensely. She was passionate about her roles as Mayor and Councillor for the city. She cared deeply for people and naturally fell into a favourite activity of interviewing and doing biographies on numerous people. She took on projects both for the Library and for Holy family Church with tremendous zeal and energy.
“Mary Giuliano lived life to the fullest and she left an impact on the city and on many peoples’ lives and hearts. She was loved, respected and will be missed by many.”
Former District of Elkford Mayor, RDEK director and Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Chair Dean McKerracher said, “As I sit here today writing a memoir to a dear friend Mary Giuliano, I have to think back to the first time I met Mary. It was an instant click and friendship between the two of us that only got stronger over the years. It’s crazy to think but it was like mother son relationship even though I was older than her. She had the uncanny ability to make everyone feel like a close family member.
“I was one of the fortunate people who got to meet Mary the news reporter. She had a TV show called Mary’s Kitchen. I had an opportunity to sit at Mary’s kitchen table, drink coffee and eat her homemade cookies as we were videotaping our conversations. We talked about my experiences being the Mayor of Elkford and all the projects I wanted to accomplish.
“It really isn’t hard to describe Mary. She was a brilliant lady, kind, caring, gentle, generous, always wanting to serve and make things better for everyone. As the Mayor of Fernie she dedicated herself full-time to being the Mayor while always being there for her family. Mary’s dedication to Fernie as a citizen and as Mayor was admirable. She proudly represented her community and made her community a better place.
“It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to a wonderful woman, wife, mother, grandmother and a great friend. We will miss you greatly.” Dean and Joanne McKerracher
Rob Gay, RDEK Electoral Area C Director and Board Chair stated on behalf of the entire region, “Mary was a deeply valued member of our Board, who not only served with passion and dedication, but who supported and mentored countless other directors. Her deep commitment to public service and her love for her community and all of its residents fueled her work and made her an exceptional leader.
“Her passion for storytelling and her tremendous knowledge about the history of Fernie and the valley were remarkable. She showed absolute kindness to everyone she encountered and had a truly beautiful heart. She will be greatly missed and on behalf of the Board and the RDEK staff, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and to all how loved her.”
One of the many volunteer organizations Mary served was Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK), helping people navigate the trick world of business and entrepreneurialism.
CFEK Board Chair (and e-KNOW publisher) Carrie Schafer shared: “Mary served on many committees and boards, and I had the pleasure of working with her on the Community Futures East Kootenay board for the past three years.
“I met Mary over 20 years ago working with the college and being interviewed by Fernie’s Oprah. A lovely visit/interview with tea and cookies surrounded by a house full of angels. Looking back I now know that I met the sweetest angel yet, Mary.
“We became fast friends and work colleagues as she became councillor and then Mayor of Fernie. I worked on several community projects with her through my work with Columbia Basin Trust. Mary was all about what was best for community and it showed in everything she did.
“Mary cared for her community like she cared for her family, in fact if you were among her community you were like her family. Mary was a true friend, a community leader, and an amazing mother figure for so many including me. The community and I will miss you greatly Mary.”
Mary and Nick were inseparable and he always had her back as she struggled with hard decisions and difficult days shouldering a weight only those who have served as mayors of communities know. Mary so deeply appreciated your strong, quiet support Nick. You were within every decision she made and step she took.
To Mary’s family and many friends, our deepest condolences.
There will be a Funeral Mass for Mary on Saturday, August 31 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 521 4th Avenue in Fernie.
Editor’s note: More tributes are forthcoming and will be added to this piece when they arrive.
e-KNOW file photos
