Rev. Mary Icylin (Davis) Burey

Rev. Mary Icylin Burey (nee Davis) passed away peacefully on December 29, 2020 surrounded by her family. She was the beloved mother of Rachel, Omar, Sharon, and grandchildren, John, Martin, Tecla, Marie Louise, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan; greatgrandchildren, Hope and Faith; predeceased by children Wayne and April, husband Eric, and brother Nat.

Our mother was a light of the world and a woman of dignity, grace, beauty, brilliance, and purpose.

Mary and her family immigrated to Canada in 1976 from her beloved Jamaica. She was already an accomplished and award winning teacher having attended Mico University College in Kingston, Jamaica. Mary continued her education in Canada at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she was conferred a Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Administration), and Master of Public Administration between 1980 and 1988.

Having felt Christ’s call to service, she attended the Atlantic School of Theology where she was conferred a Master of Divinity in 1998.

Mommy encouraged all of her children and anyone she met to press on and keep moving. The old adage, "silver and gold will vanish away but a good education will never decay", was never far from her mind. She had a special passion for helping numerous foreign students who came to Halifax to study. She was well-known for inviting them to her home for dinners, and hosting them on special holidays like thanksgiving and Christmas when so many were far from home.

Mary was a creative, and sought to bring new ideas and new ways of thinking to all of her endeavours. Long before diversity issues were in vogue, Mary was a Diversity Issues Trainer for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She became a Manager of Client Services in the Department of Veterans Affairs and was also the Acting Director of the Department from time to time. Mary’s passion was for helping veterans and she considered serving them as part of her ministry. Indeed, any veteran in Truro, Nova Scotia will know her name. Her own father was a veteran of the Second World War.

She received numerous awards for her work and volunteerism with veterans across Nova Scotia. In 1999, Mary received the Veterans Affairs Award of Excellence, for the quality of her work in the delivery of services, and for her community involvement. Mary was awarded the prestigious national Dr. Wenonah Foster Award, for excellence in her work in 2000. In 2002 Mary was one of the five finalists for the National Volunteer of the year award. Mary worked as a counsellor for many years in Truro. When she left to become a Manager of Client services in 2003, she was invited by the Royal Canadian Legion to take the March Pass Salute, on Remembrance Day. In 2005 Mary received the Atlantic Region Award of Excellence. Between 1990 and 2005, Mary also received a number of Royal Canadian Legion Presidents Meritorious Awards.

As an innovator, Mary started many programs and services that continue to this day, in Nova Scotia. Between 1985 and 1989, as a Social Worker at the Nova Scotia Hospital, Mary initiated and coordinated the first Family Education Support Group, which continues to this day, and has been implemented in many hospitals. In 2001 after recognizing the isolation and the need of veterans’ widows in Truro, Mary started the first and only Veterans Widows/ Widowers organization in Canada. She went beyond the call of duty, and donated many volunteer hours in order to provide support and an organizational structure for these widows and widowers. This group meets regularly, has its own by-laws, and provides a social outlet for its members. Since its inception, more than sixty Veterans widows and widowers havemet monthly at the Royal Canadian Legion hall in Truro. Many people in Truro, will remember the 2001 event where Mary and a committee of veterans widows, came together to create the Gathering for Peace. This was a citywide event that honoured veterans, and shared in the peace effort post 9/11. The packed Teacher’s College auditorium contained school children, church choirs, community choirs and bands. Speakers included law enforcement leaders, widows, veterans, business leaders, church clergy, multicultural leaders, and indigenous Canadian community leaders. The audience raised their candles to honour the sacrifice of veterans, and to express their stand for peace. In 2004, Mary initiated and coordinated a reception for D-day Veterans and Italian Conflict Veterans.

Mary volunteered her religious leadership to "keep the doors" of a small rural church open, until permanent clergy was found. After the massive earthquake in Haiti, in her office, Mary spearheaded a Haiti Relief Fund. The proceeds were distributed to the United Church of Canada Mission Fund. She participated in the development of a weekly Meals on Wheels seniors’ lunch program. It has grown from 50 to 250 recipients, at the Royal Canadian Legion. In 2004, Mary helped to organize an event at a large church in Halifax, in which Veterans, were thanked for their sacrifice and service to Canada. As a Year of the Veteran Project leader in 2005, Mary initiated and encouraged her team to create a permanent fund in memory of the Canadian soldiers buried in a cemetery in Nairobi, Kenya. The Marquis Moore Memorial Fund will help provide clothing and food for children who attend a school next to the cemetery. Mary regularly volunteered her time to visit the sick in hospital, take the elderly to buy groceries, and support foreign students.

Perhaps you, mommy, would say to us the consoling words of the African poet, Injete Chesoni,

"I am not gone; I remain here beside you... just in a different form Look for me in your heart and there you will find me

In our love which forever lives on

In those moments when you feel alone

Look for me in your thoughts

And there you will find me in sweet memories that burn strong Every time a tear forms in your beautiful eyes look up to the heavens And there you will see me smiling down from God’s glorious skies."

Rest in peace Mommy. You remain in your Creator’s loving care, and we love you across the living divide.

Rachel, Omar and Sharon Burey

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, kindly make donation to your local Salvation Army. To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com