Mary Agnes Durham

“Now the weight you carried has been released, our prayer:
that Your soul now finds its quiet peace”

Surrounded by the love of her family, Mary left us following a long hard run with declining health

Born in New Waterford in 1941 to Anthony and Margaret (Young) Martin, she was the fourth of seven children in an unforgiving wartime coal town.

At 16, she married Clarence Durham, and together they created seven wonderful individuals.

Through the years, life's opportunities and challenges carried her across this beautiful country. Aside from her beloved Cape Breton, she spent many of her final years with her sister Betty in Toronto. She only returned to the Island this past year and resided briefly at Taigh Na Mara before passing, with her family holding her hands.

Left to live the memories of their shared time are her children Clarence (Cheryl) Durham, Carrie (Darryl) Gillis, Michael (Leslie) McDonald, Andrea Doyle, Robert (Tammy) Durham, and Billy Joe Durham, as well as her Siblings Betty Baldwin, Theresa Kelly, Michael Martin, Bernice(Mary Anne) Martin and sister at heart Bunny Martin.

Saying so long for now to their Nan, Nanny, Nanny Olie and Nana Mary is a wonderful mix of 20 grandchildren, an additional 20 great grandchildren, and a large numbers of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, brothers Hank and Willie Martin, her husband Clarence Durham, her partner Dougie Mills, her daughter Tena Pickles her infant son Anthony Alexander Durham, and her sons in law Donnie Doyle and Wesley Pickles. We know you're cheating at Tarbish with them all now.

A grave side service on Saturday, July 5th at St. Agnes Cemetery, New Waterford, where she will be put to rest with her parents at 11:00 am. A reception hosted by the Martin family will take place immediately following. Instructions will be given at the service.

Our family would like to take this moment to thank the incredible and caring staff at Taigh Na Mara. “You went a step above” looking after Mary. To everyone else, you have shown that family is more than anything.

Rest in peace, Boogsie….the place is all cleaned up now, and the Javex bottle is empty.