In Memory of Mary Thorén

It was Mary's fondest wish to be called a "good Wheaten woman" by the members of the dog community. 

Mary Thorén was born and raised in Sweden, married Allan and came to Canada in the 1960's as a result of Allan's employment with Volvo.  Returning to Canada in the 1970's, the couple determined to make a life in their new country, became active members of the Scandinavian ex-patriot community and raised their two children in Dartmouth.  Mary pursued post-secondary education in both Sweden and Halifax, graduating from Mount Saint Vincent University with a degree in Journalism.  On Allan's retirement from Volvo, they determined that a dog was now to be a part of their lives.  Having lived across the street from Hubert Jacquin, it was a natural progression for this active and lively couple to add a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier to the family.

Soon Allan and Mary were embedded in the 'show scene’, with their great SCWT 'Turbo'.  Mary delighted in trimming and owner-handling her show dog, and Turbo delighted in attending dog shows through his 10th year.  Siring several litters and placing in many Groups, he offered the Thoréns a new community of friends among the Terrier folk.  Mary branched out and assisted many other SCWT owners in trimming their show dogs, enjoying each in its own right and regaling all who would listen with stories of each Wheaten's accomplishments - whether as a Conformation or Obedience exhibit or as a cherished family pet. 

Mary was active in the ATA almost from the moment she became involved.  We all benefited from the hospitality of the Thorén home for many years.  Almost all of us have wonderful memories of the family room - at meetings, at parties and at auctions with Ray Pierce as our lively Auctioneer.  With Allan as President, Mary was for many years a most capable Treasurer, handing that mantle to our Cheryl only as she took on the Terrier Times.  Using her prized Journalism credential, Mary turned out a professional product on time and in budget until she could no longer produce copy earlier this year. 

As illness became more apparent, Mary determined that she would attend one more Montgomery, this time with Margot Schenk.  The tales of that trip will live on in all of our memories as Mary, the extrovert, managed to share her passion for Terriers with Ken, Margot and I as well as the Wheaten crowd and even the judge at the hotel that she 'chatted up' in the dining room one day the rest of us were out less well occupied.

Shortly after that trip, Mary was diagnosed with a terminal illness and has been courageously battling her failing health.  After a lengthy period in hospital in the late winter, Mary was able to be taken home to be with Allan and her great Wheatens Annie and Higgins.  Since January, Margot and Lee joined Allan as her support network and spent hours every day at the hospital or at the Thoren home, in conversation and care.  Conversation was, of course, centered on Terriers and Mary was so very proud of both her accomplishments in the Terrier world and of her many friendships in the ATA. 

This morning (April 10, 2007) Mary succumbed to her illness after only a few hours in hospital.  She will be greatly missed but would certainly prefer that we remember her with a smile and a good story - of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers or of that famous Thorén hospitality extended so generously to the ATA.  A Celebration Of Life with reception to follow for Mary will be held at Atlantic Funeral Homes, 771 Main Street, (Number 7 Highway), Dartmouth on Saturday at 4:00 pm.

Lee Steeves