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Mary Jane Gray
September 7, 1925 - February 21, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">Gray &ndash; Mary Jane Mackenzie (n&eacute;e Barclay) &ndash; Feb. 21, 2016 unexpectedly in her 90th robust year from complications after a fall. Born in Calgary to George and Sarah (Stovel) Barclay, &ldquo;Jerry&rdquo; was raised all over Canada, as her father worked for various posts in the Government. One of the first women to receive a scholarship to Queen&rsquo;s University (Arts 1947), she studied languages and spoke five fluently, including Russian. She began her career with External Affairs in the late 40s and was posted to Moscow and London, England where she met her husband Eric. <br />Mary Jane travelled extensively, and was an avid skier, figure skater, swimmer, student of ballet, and loved horseback riding, and dancing. She was rarely without several books or knitting projects &lsquo;on the go&rsquo;, and was a passionate lover of theatre, music, dance, and film. She took advantage of her postings abroad to attend operas in every great opera house in Europe, ballets at the Bolshoi, the Kirov, and Covent Garden, and theatre of all kinds everywhere. While raising her own family, Jerry worked for the Citizenship Office, the Passport Office, various theatre companies, and taught French. With her incredible knitting and sewing skills, her children always had the most beautiful costumes for Halloween, theatre, and figure skating. She also sold her wares under the name Mackenzie Knits at craft shows across Ontario. She was a member of St. Paul&rsquo;s Church choir for over 40 years, past President of the Queen&rsquo;s Alumni, and active member of the Clan Mackenzie Society of Canada. Jerry volunteered at Voice Print, and recently taught knitting to students at a local high school, even teaching herself to knit left-handed so she could help the left-handed students learn. She always enjoyed meeting young people and passing on her skills and knowledge, and was beloved by all her children&rsquo;s friends for her interest in them, and unconditional delight and loving support in their lives. <br />Greatly missed by her son Alexander (Mackenzie) and partner Brandi MacLean, daughter Katharine and partner David Bellinger, daughter-in-law Sherry, grandchildren Kaleigh, Jessica, and Sarah, brothers Robert and John Barclay. Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Eric, son Angus, sister Kathleen and husband Robert Bowley, and sister-in-law Jane Graham Barclay. Fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends and colleagues. A fiercely proud Canadian of Scottish descent, the Mackenzie clan motto &ldquo;I shine, not burn&rdquo; beautifully describes Mary Jane&rsquo;s ever-present smile, sharp wit, loving kindness, and gift of brightening up everyone she met. Memorial to be held in April. <br /></div>