Update:
The celebration has past, but to see the stories people shared about Mary or to send photos you may have taken, we welcome you to visit here.
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Please feel free to leave any memories, sentiments, or stories below by clicking on the button that reads '_ comments.' Anyone can view the comments, so if you have nothing to say you can still see the stories that others have told.
To email the family directly, you can find their email addresses here.
To email the family directly, you can find their email addresses here.
I met Mary Sparling through her son, and my best friend, John. I'll remember Mary as an intelligent and engaging woman. Mary had a keen social conscience too. Largely because of Mary, the Sparling household was always an interesting and stimulating place to visit. Musicians, artists and local personalities all types descended on the Sparling's Jubliee Road home for discussion and to exchange ideas. My enduring memory of Mary Sparling will be of her wheeling her bicycle down Halifax's Jubilee Road in search of some new cause to support. She will be missed.
ReplyDeleteCraig Morrison
Mary was my mentor, as I worked aside her at MSVU as her 13th Exhibitions Officer. I can honestly say that most of what I know about being a curator and a member of a cultural community I learned first from Mary. Her passion for advocacy and providing places for under-heard voices, in the gallery and beyond, has stuck with me. I worked with her through those early Africville years around 1989, and that time provided the basis for my later and ongoing career. We had fun, got stuff done, and argued.
ReplyDeleteI am one of Mary's grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteGramma taught me a secret language to get through life; whenever anyone said anything rude or ridiculous, she told me so say, "Well, that is SO interesting!"
She was also the first person to swear infront of my, although accidentally.
And finally, (I couldn't believe this at the time) when she had someone over and they noticed the Marimekko print on her wall they went "ooOOOOoo Marimekko!" and their eyes got wide. I later researched the brand and discovered its origins. It was like the poppy pattern was a secret sign to be part of some artistic, fashionable, female empowering club. Without fail, when I was carrying a bag that displayed the print (picked out entirely because of Mary) to Megan Leslie's and she had the same print on a dish towel, we both turned to each other and went "ooooOOOO Marimekko!!!!"
I learned some of the most interesting lessons of my life from her.
To the family: I'm sorry to hear about Mary's passing. She has earned a special place in our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, our sincere condolences.
ReplyDeleteJohn MacDonell and family
MLA for Hants East
I had the privilege of working with Mary at the Nova Scotia Museum. She made such a valuable contribution – projects and approaches she initiated years ago are still having a positive impact. For example it was Mary who initiated the Volunteer Program at the Museum which made it possible for so many school classes and adult groups to visit. She made visits to Museums in other parts of Canada and the US and always brought back approaches and techniques which she could adapt for our use.
ReplyDeleteFurther, she organized a great number of very interesting and inventive adult programs which brought nationally and internationally renowned speakers to Halifax. Many people will remember her textile work. She taught many to spin and weave and in the process endeared herself to people in the African Nova Scotian and First Nations communities. She also did extensive research in the dyeing of fabrics. Further she explored the use of porcupine quills in the decoration of clothing and birch bark.
While we were very sorry to see Mary leave the Museum to go to the MSV Gallery, luckily many of us were able to continue working with her. She was, without a doubt, one of the most dynamic, energetic and creative people I have ever met.
I met Mary often during my years as an assistant to Alexa McDonough. We will all miss her and her dedication to the progressive movement. To her family and friends, I extend my deepest sympathy....May she rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Salloum
Hi Sparling family: Just wanted you to know how sorry I was to hear of your Mom's passing away. I will miss her smiling face in the beauty salon. Mary never talked much, but her sweet smile said it all. She was someone you just fell in love with, because of her gentleness. I will be praying for you all as you go through this difficult time, Sincerely Suzanne
ReplyDeleteI met Mary when I moved to Halifax 11 years ago. I will always remember seeing her walking to arts events. Theatre, dance, fine arts, music, Mary was there. She was and still is an inspiration and I will never forget her.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere condolences to the Sparling family.
Janice Jackson
I am saddening to hear of Mary’s passing and extend my thoughts and good wishes to all her family and friends. I knew Mary for many years as we both worked in the museum field. She was such an incredible presence and I always sought her sage advice. Mary provided so much direction and guidance in developing the museum field and will be missed by so many of us.
ReplyDeleteJann LM Bailey
Executive Director
Kamloops Art Gallery
British Columbia
I think I first met Mary when I was a teenager working at the museum in the 70s...., but I also knew her as a good friend of my mother's (pianist Monique Gusset), and a great friend of Shelagh Mackenzie's (my colleague in work). Three great, inspirational women who have passed, and contributed so much to our community.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere condolences to the Sparling family, xox
Hello all,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading about Mary's death in today's Globe and Mail, I recalled the number of times when I travelled to see Mary at the MSVU Art Gallery with my students--grade threes from HGS and student teachers from MSVU's Education program. For many students, this was their very first taste of an Art Gallery and Mary always made the gallery space inviting and accessible for everyone. I can recall her ability to excite everyone about the installations in the gallery---a wonderful teacher and mentor for so many. I'm so glad she was part of my life.
Jan Buley
Laurentian University
School of Education
Beautiful Sudbury, ON
Her support of artists in all media is legendary. She raised the activity of local and national culture several notches.
ReplyDeleteMary’s passion generated in us a desire to create, to perform; to sing and to dance. She gave us a forum; her time; her money. She would always see the best in us…. and sometimes push us to be better. And she was our best audience.
Because she was nurtured by a wonderful family and caregivers who loved her and appreciated her, Mary’s sweetness and gentleness, which may have been overshadowed by her huge drive and intellect in earlier years emerged as her star quality.
Mary was a person of great intellect and broad interests. I always admired the fact that she acted on her interestes and concerns, and always with class.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw Mary, she was receiving the Queens Jubilee Medal. A good memory of an outstanding and lovely person. Sympathy to family and her friends.
Mary was a delightful and warm friend. We shared our gardens when we lived next door to each other for fifteen years on Jubilee Rd. We had many lovely discussions about our children,the arts, the future of the NDP and of course, always our
ReplyDeletegardens.
My thoughts and best wishes to John and Margie and your children.
Bruce was right in saying -We had fun, got stuff done, and argued. Mary did indeed get stuff done and for that she mentored all of us. Thanks to you Mary, even when we argued and disagreed. You made a difference.
ReplyDeleteI was saddened to read of the loss of the amazing and wonderful Mary Sparling. I knew Mary for many years, primarily in her role as Director of the MSVU Gallery and from the many national arts committees and organizations in which she participated. As a young arts professional in the late 1970's and 1980's I always regarded Mary as an incredible role model and a passionate and committed advocate for the arts. One always turned to Mary for advice and, of course, relied on her for anything to do with Nova Scotia. Mary could be relied upon to be fun, provocative, ethical and visionary and had an unerring sense for those who weren't. I remember attending various dreary committee meetings and receptions, often in Ottawa, and making a beeline for Mary every time as I knew she would redeem the occasion and make the event worthwhile. She leaves endless wonderful memories for all of us in the world of Canadian culture who are indebted to her for her guidance and perseverance.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Boyle
Chief Executive Officer
Harbourfront Centre
Toronto
I knew the Sparling family when they lived in St. Andrews in the mid sixties, and pretty much lost touch with them after they moved to Halifax, although I stayed at their home one weekend in the following year when I visited a friend at Dalhousie, and I saw Margie over the next couple of summers in St. Andrews.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised to read of the range and significance of Mary's contributions to the cultural, artistic, and political environment of Nova Scotia. Even as a student in her grade eleven English class I admired her intellect, her energy, and her desire to see people reach their full potential.
I liked and respected her,and she accorded me more respect than I perhaps deserved as a student, for I was a lazy scholar in those days, but she always prodded me to do better.
She is one of two teachers from my high school years that I remember with fondness, both as a teacher and as a person. My condolences go to Margie and John.
David Langley, Instructor
New Brunswick Community College
St. Andrews
How brilliant is it that the internet allows us to be part of the outpouring of love,admiration and respect for Mary! I didn't think I felt the comfort that comes with belief in an afterlife, but Mary seems very present both in these messages, and in my mind and heart. In more than 40 years of friendship, I stored up the essence of her generous spirit and her smart and funny way of making sense of life..."pick yourself up, dust yourself off and carry on" she used to say. Words to live by.
ReplyDeleteMary Sparling was a truly an inspirational person and a terrific supporter of the arts. When Gay Hauser and were running Eastern Front Theatre , Mary was always there as a supporter and friend. She helped us make connections with the First Nations community, she helped us reach out and take risks . She believed in artistic risk and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. I always loved it when I knew she was coming to the theatre, usually with her good friend Shelagh Mackensie . We always knew she was on our side. We will miss her very very much
ReplyDeleteMary will be remembered for her huge and varied contribution to the arts but I will also remember her as a warm and welcoming neighbour. In 1989 Stephen and I plus kids moved into a house around the corner from Mary. She was soon at the front door telling us about the neigbourhood, introducing us to others and invited us for dinner. When she found out that Stephen was an avid sailor but without a boat she promptly and generously offered him the use of Finally, the only condition being that she be invited. She rarely came but it was always a pleasure when she did and we enjoyed some wonderful sails for several summers.
ReplyDeleteMy very first job out of university was at the MSVU Art Gallery. I remember how inspiring and passionate Mary was about artists, especially women artists. I learned so much from her! My condolences to the family. She will be missed.
ReplyDeleteDeborah Cameron
Banff, Alberta
Mary was a woman of remarkable vision, insight and generosity, whose passion for things that mattered and commitment to working for change could be relied on. The canvas she painted on was broad but her impact on the arts and culture was especially significant. Most importantly, she was a friend who could be counted on for practical advice and a philosophical take on life, marked by gentle humour. She was also a mentor, for whose kind support I was most grateful while working with the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council and the Nova Scotia Coalition on Arts and Culture in the 1980s. Thank you for everything, Mary. You are very much missed. My sincere condolences to Margie, John and the family.
ReplyDeleteAn editorial glitch in a local paper once wrote about Mary "Sparkling".....How apt!
ReplyDeleteShe is an inspiration.
Mary was a great inspiration and a role model to many young people, myself included, when I was starting out as a young actess and later working at the National Film Board in Halifax in the late 70s. I can still hear her wonderful, infectious laugh and see that distinctive head of white hair at so many theatre and art gallery openings and at the home of our mutual friend, Shelagh Mackenzie. She was truly one of the great ladies who influenced my life, along with her contemporaries Joan Orenstein, Shelagh, Monique Gusset, Phyllis Malcolm-Stewart and Philippa Monserrat, all gone now. It is a blessing and a comfort to read the other comments posted here, filled as they are with affection and the spirit that Mary imbued in all of us.
ReplyDeleteKaren Marginson
Montreal
Dear John
ReplyDeleteMy heart is breaking for you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Andrea Belair
Gus and I were so sorry to hear about Mary's death. We lived next door to her for almost ten years and she graciously welcomed our loud and messy family into her world. She was an invaluable font of knowledge about so many things - the garden, the city, the arts- and so generous. Her death is a great loss.
ReplyDeleteVicki Grant, Gus Richardson and family
During a recent flight while travelling out of the country, I happened to be reading the Globe and Mail and noticed the obituary for Mary. I was very saddened to see this. As the flight carried on I had time to reflect on some of the many fond memories I have of her, especially during our sailing days. There are so many things that you want to say, but finding just the right words is difficult. But saying what a wonderful, wonderful lady she was comes easy. I feel most blessed to have known her, and am so sorry for the family's loss.
ReplyDeleteFred Smithers
I have known Mary all my life. She was my God Mother and was a spirit guide to me as I grew up, passing on interesting, challenging books that expanded my horizons and gave me a life long love of learning.
ReplyDeleteOur families remained connected and I recall family visits with the Sparlings at various times. I also recall being well received by Mary on a hitch hiking trip to the Atlantic and them a visit from John as he hitched through Montreal a few years later.
We connected later when I worked with an Inuit Coop in the NWT (in the early 80s) - one of the print producing communities, and Mary served on the Eskimo Arts Council. Interesting discussions from different perspectives.
My thoughts are with Margie, John and their respective families. Mary was a force of nature who made a difference and touched and shaped us all.
Peter
I was sorry to hear about Mary's passing only today. She was a marvellous inspiration to me in my teenage years when I was good friends with her daughter Margie. I spent many happy hours in their lovely home in St. Andrews and then visited them for my 15th (?) birthday week in Halifax. That stands out as one of the best times of my life. I was made to feel at home and taken cruising on their Westwind -- cooked porkchops in apple juice over beach bonfires (a dish my children later grew to love), visited Oak Island, sailed in the open Atlantic. Truly the best of times.
ReplyDeleteThen again, when I moved to Halifax to go to Dal, the Sparlings opened their home to me for a few days until my apartment was ready, despite being busy packing Margie off to Queen's.
I will always have a special place in my heart for both Wint and Mary.
My condolences to Margie and John and their families.
Brenda (Thompson) Harrison,
Vancouver
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