BIGGS - A Life Well Lived: Mary Greta Biggs of Coronation passed away peacefully on February 1, 2006 at the West View Health Centre in Stony Plain, Alberta at the age of 73. Mary was born in Coronation on February 8, 1932 to Jack and Greta Hallett of Fleet, Alberta. From childhood Mary’s artistic spirit and talents were apparent and led her to study Fine Art at the University of Alberta in the early 1950s. After traveling throughout Europe with her sister Margaret, Mary moved back to the Fleet area where she met and married Tom Biggs in 1957 and moved to TK Ranch south of Coronation. Mary raised five children: Ralph, Dylan, Andrea, John and David and remained a devoted mother for the rest of her life. Mary’s free spirit and independent thought seldom prevented her from sharing her unique perspectives with people. This made her interesting to some, eccentric to others and endeared her to many. Her open and trusting heart was offered to family and stranger alike without hesitation. If someone was in need she shared what she had whether she could afford it or not. Mary’s commitment to health and fitness was unwavering. Long before anyone had heard of health food, Mary was actively educating herself about the benefits of using unprocessed natural foods as a central part of raising a healthy family. The surest way to evoke a scathing reprimand from Mary was to offer her margarine. For those fortunate enough to enjoy one of Mary’s meals, it was always to be savoured. She had an ability to take the most basic ingredients and blend them into an exquisite eating experience. On many occasions her desserts caused family feuds over who would get the last piece. As a gracious and caring host, Mary’s home was always a warm, welcome and comfortable place to be. Mary’s life long love affair with the wild prairie was evident in all that she did - from her beautiful collection of artwork which is displayed around the world to her stuccoed straw bale house and rock adorned yard. Mary was often found roaming the prairie in search of special rocks to add to her collection. There was not a better gift for Mary than an interesting rock. A testament to her lifelong commitment to health and fitness was seeing her lifting and manoeuvring rocks far heavier and larger than most would even attempt. Mary will be sadly missed by her children Ralph (Audur), Dylan (Colleen), Andrea (Tony), John (Nicola), David (Lisa), dear friend Tom Biggs, her grandchildren, sisters Helen and Norma (Peter), brothers Bob and Gilbert (Ida) and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was predeceased by her sister Margaret in 1997 and granddaughter Solveig Runarsdottir in 1999. A family memorial will be held in Edmonton on February 8. Family and friends are invited to gather at 1:00 p.m. June 17 at Mary’s home to celebrate her life and spread her ashes on the prairie that she loved. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Coronation Music Festival or charity of your choice. Back to Obituary page