Obituary of Mary Frances Tavener

TAVENER:  Mary Frances (Sturdevant) Tavener of Grand Bend, formerly of London.  Mary loved life and all it had to offer – her family, her friends, her garden, her home and her art.  She died peacefully at Jessica’s House Hospice, in Exeter, on Friday, May 17, 2019 after a brief bout with cancer, age 67.  She is predeceased by her husband Ernest Tavener (2018).  Loving mother of Kimberly Jane “Kim” Fraser (John Burns) of Corunna, William Burton “Bill” Fraser, John Joseph “Joe” Fraser, granddaughter Jessie Fraser and grandson Alexander “Alex” Yoell all of London.  She is survived by her mother Helen (Love) (Sturdevant) DesJardine, sisters Donna Lovie (Larry), Ann Russell (Doug) all of Grand Bend and Susan Lee (Don Gunn) of Dorchester.  Family gatherings kept “Aunt Mary” close to her many nieces and nephews.  Fondly remembered by sister-in-law Vera Legg and her husband John of London, the Fraser family of Forest and the Love family of Grand Bend. Predeceased by her father William “Bill” Sturdevant (1991), step-father Emerson DesJardine (2011) and former husband Ian Alexander Fraser (2014).  Cremation has taken place.  An Interment of Mary’s ashes will be followed at a later date at the Parkhill Cemetery.  A Gathering of Remembrance will be held at the Grandview Apartments - Common Room, 10 Summer Grove Road, Grand Bend on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. with a tribute to Mary at 2 p.m.  Arrangements entrusted to the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood.  If desired, memorial donations (payable by cheque) to Jessica’s House, the Alzheimer Society or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.