Obituary of Mary Victoria Reno

Age 95 of Bedford, left this world peacefully at home on Thursday, November 26, 2020, surrounded by her five children. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald Reno, parents Bernice (Krzyk) and Victor Walter Hanusiak (Baba and Dzaidu), and four brothers, Joe, Ed, and two brothers who died in infancy. Mother was born in Poland and came to Canada in 1931, at the age of six. She considered various careers and finally chose pharmacy. She met Gerry, the love of her life, at the Maritime College of Pharmacy (Dalhousie University); and family lore states she got his attention by dropping her books. Of course, he picked them up! As Mummy used to say, they fell for each other hook, line and sinker. They were married in 1948 and spent 46 wonderful years together. She practiced as a pharmacist in a number of venues, but her most fulfilling was as the Director of Pharmacy at the Grace Maternity Hospital. She was the first person in Canada to implement neonatal dose, which allowed the provision of accurate dosing of medication to very small babies. Mother was a devout Catholic, a good and faithful servant of God. She worked hard to be an example of Christianity in her family and in her community. She had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was very active in the community. She was an energetic member of Pi Beta Phi, Soroptimists of Canada, the Catholic Women’s League, and the Canadian Pharmacists Association. She also made significant contributions to schools and church. Mother made friends easily, and she made a lasting impression on all of them. She had a huge circle of people who loved her. She was an amazing mother, wife, and friend, and she will be greatly missed. We hope she is dancing with Dad in Heaven. She is survived by her five children: Vicky Reno, Stephanie Coldwell (Ted), Kathryn Reno-Horne (Garth), Chris Reno (Jane), Theresa Schopf (Hans); her thirteen grandchildren, Vida Vinerskis (Shawn Bailey), Ted Coldwell (Shannon Wood), Max Reede (Sabrina Fava), Vicky Marie Horne (Steve Brake), Cassandra Schopf Loach, Jake Horne (Stephy Politis), Chris Schopf, Alex Schopf (Catherine Jakubczak), Luke Horne, Michael Reno, Katie Reno, Allison Reno, Amy Reno; and eleven great-grandchildren, Zeke, Maia, Sam, Joey, Danika, Phaedra, Gwendolyn, Penelope, Theo, Marie, and Rita. We appreciate so much the support we received from the medical system in our province. Our caregivers gave us great comfort, even though it was very quick. We particularly recognize the amazing healthcare professionals : Dr. Ruth Turner, who has been a dedicated and strong support for mom over the past few years, navigating the healthcare system to ensure mom could continue to live life to the fullest; and, the rest of the team who provided care to her in her final days, Dr. Dave Dupere (Palliative Care) and the VON nurses, Maureen, Wilson, and Kim. What you provided to us to help us support our Mother in the last days of her life was invaluable. We will not forget you. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no service at this time. Arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to T. J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 71 McQuade Lake Crescent, Halifax. A celebration of her life will take place when appropriate, starting with her funeral mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Halifax and followed by (in her words) “a BIG party”. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Na Zdrowie, Mother. Go with God. We love you!