Mary Jarvis – Canadian Veteran

Remembrance Day 2020

We Love our Nan!

Mary (Buchan) Jarvis is the beloved matriarch of the Jarvis Family. Today, she is safe and well-cared for by the fine people at Sunnybrook Veteran’s Centre, here in Toronto. We miss her very much and want the World to know it.

Safe and sound

We took for granted, our ability to visit her smiling face any time that we wanted to. Now, Covid has placed a necessary barrier between us and her. So on an impulse this morning, I cleared my schedule to send her a virtual kiss from all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 1942, when Mary Jarvis was a 17-year-old teenager, she dreamed of adventure and travel. This desire for life experiences was the catalyst that prompted her to join the army reserve in Toronto. It wasn’t until the following year, when she turned 18, that she was able to officially enlist in the army and help support the British efforts. Jarvis, the eldest of four children and was the first to join the armed forces. Several years later, her younger brother joined the Korean War.
During her three years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces, Jarvis’ main role was to help with transportation. She learned how to drive every type of vehicle from a jeep to a blitz buggy (an outfitted vehicle with two stretchers used as an ambulance) to a bus, and often it was in the dark of night with no headlights.

*Source:
Canadian Living
NOV 10, 2016 BY: Grace Toby

My Mother moved to Canada when I was very young. With 3 children, she got remarried to a nice guy that lived a few doors down. When he introduced us to his Parents, we all immediately loved each other. They inherited us as grandchildren and loved us as their own. Along the way, the Jarvis Family grew in proportion with her enormous heart.
Every year, we plant small Canadian Flags on the grounds on the Sunnybrook Veteran’s Centre. This year, due to the pandemic, this event was cancelled.

“Mary” as her friends know her, is 96 years old. She stays current with the news and is an excellent conversationalist. She enjoys art, ceramics and gardening.

Tech-savvy superhero

Staying current. Staying in touch.

Mary is the one in the middle on the Operation Raise a Flag website:

Thank you for your service

Although we knew that our grandparents served in WWII, they rarely spoke of it. That’s just how heroes are sometimes.
She served proudly in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps . Where she met her husband Stan.

Today, we remember our departed Grandpa Stanley Jarvis along with so many other veterans (alive and passed). We also celebrate our Nan’s continued effect on the World and the people who she has touched with her infectious spirit and kindness. Remembrance Day is a special one in our family – and it always will be.

A special thank you to all of the fallen soldiers. Here in Canada, and around the World. We remember your sacrifice.

Who’s the pretty girl sitting on the jeep you ask?

That’s Mary.

Nan, we look forward to seeing you again one day very soon.
We miss you!