March 31, 1950 – January 19, 2023

Mary Catherine McKnight formerly Salem (née Dods) of Kamloops BC, passed away on January 19, 2023, at 72 years of age. She is survived by Sharla Salem-Payne of Maidstone, SK, and Natalie Salem (John Vowles) of Victoria, BC, Grandchildren Asa Payne, Rylee Payne, Samantha Clarke, Dylan Vowles, Emily Vowles and Tatiana Salem-Vowles, Great grandchildren Jayden Dillon, Sophia Dillon, Luke Clarke and Averi Walker, her sister Barb (Larry) Anderson and nieces Sarah (Andrew) McDougall and Ginny Anderson.

She was predeceased by her parents George and Keytha (Bo) Dods.

Born as Audrey Laura Surgeoner, in Toronto, Ontario; Mary was adopted by a beautiful loving couple, George and Keytha Dods, on the day of her birth. She grew up in Orangeville, Ontario, and studied Graphic Arts at Sheridan College in Oakville.

After moving to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1974, Mary devoted her life to helping others. She spent decades working in the ambulance field, volunteering her time as a firefighter, and spending the last 20+ years as a care aid – and she so deeply LOVED her job, often found chatting away or dancing in the common room with her patients. She loved music and played the piano her whole life. In her late 40s, she took up the fiddle and was so proud when she learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

She was remarkably creative and loved any activity artistically related: cooking, sewing, drawing, painting, macrame, crochet, pottery, sculpture, and ceramics – her talents were truly endless. She loved animals, and her dog Winston, was her absolute world.

Mary was an extremely charismatic outgoing social butterfly – always up for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, a hot meal, or a minimum 1 hour phone call – never without a story to tell or a conversation to be had. Mary enjoyed a happy and fun life, living life to the fullest and loving every minute of it. She will be so greatly missed by everyone, friends, and family alike.

As she wished to be cremated, a memorial service will be held in Kamloops at an undetermined later date.

You may deliver a message of condolence to Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services.

• Date : 2023-01-19
• Location : Kamloops