11 Apr The Lasting Legacy of Mary Gordon: A Life of Generosity on the Sunshine Coast

If you didn’t know Mary Gordon personally, you’ve likely felt the impact of her generosity. From healthcare and youth to the arts, seniors, and the environment, Mary’s contributions continue to enrich the Sunshine Coast.

“Mary was a force – strong, exacting, and incredibly generous. She knew what mattered to her and invested deeply in her community, whether it was through supporting local artists, championing small businesses, or quietly helping those in need. She was tough when she had to be, but she also had a great sense of humour and a deep love for her friends, her home, and, of course, her dogs. Even after her passing, her legacy continues to shape the Sunshine Coast in ways that truly reflect the person she was,” observes Mary’s goddaughter, Mary Caros.

Born in Prince Rupert, BC, to Jim and Phyllis Parker, the family moved to Sechelt, and as early residents their entrepreneurial spirit helped shape the town. They owned multiple businesses on Cowrie Street, including Parker’s Hardware, which provided essential supplies long before ferries connected the Coast to the city.

As a teen, Mary was crowned Sechelt’s May Day Queen – a hint of the beloved community figure she would become. She graduated from the Royal Columbian Hospital School of Nursing in 1959. Her work as a nurse took her to hospitals across BC and beyond, including Kitimat, Pender Harbour, Powell River, and as far as Bermuda, before ultimately serving as Director of Nursing at Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital.

In 1964, she married Cecil Gordon, and the couple remained dedicated supporters of the arts, culture, and community organizations. Mary left nursing to help her father manage their commercial properties in Sechelt and, after his passing, Mary took on the leadership role and continued to manage the businesses. During the pandemic, Mary was one of the landlords who offered her tenants a break on rent, reinforcing her deep sense of care for the community.

In 2018, Mary suffered a stroke and became even more determined to formalize her legacy of giving. Her passion for healthcare drove her to establish nursing scholarships at Royal Columbian and Douglas College, and support hospitals such as St. Paul’s and Holy Family Rehab.

After Mary’s passing in 2021, her generosity continued to flow to her community and, in 2023, the Sunshine Coast Foundation received a transformative $250,000 initial gift from her estate. Guided by her passions, this gift was carefully allocated to support multiple causes close to Mary’s heart.

“Giving doesn’t have to be about millions of dollars – it could be something small, meaningful, and spread across different causes,” remarks Mary Caros. “The Sunshine Coast Foundation is a wonderful place to steward legacy gifts and create a giving strategy that truly honours the person behind the gift. That’s what we wanted to do for Mary – to continue her legacy in a way that truly reflects who she was and what she cared about.”

To carry Mary’s legacy forward, the Mary and Cecil Gordon / James and Phyllis Parker Family Fund for Seniors was created as a fund focused on caring for seniors and supports programs that help people remain independent and connected to their community. Recently, the fund made its first grant to the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre (SSAC) that enabled SSAC to purchase an AED machine, First Aid kits, and cover instruction fees for CPR and First Aid training, equipping them in life-saving situations.

SSAC Board president, Richard Ward, comments that, “Thanks to the support of the Sunshine Coast Foundation grant, over 30 staff and volunteers were trained in AED use and basic First Aid. This invaluable resource benefits both our members and the broader community.”

Separate from the family’s named fund, an additional $5,000 from Mary’s gift bolstered the new SSAC Endowment Fund, established in 2023 to provide sustainable operating revenues for the Centre.

A second endowment, the Mary and Cecil Gordon / James and Phyllis Parker Family Scholarship Fund for Nursing and Care, awards scholarships to local students pursuing careers in nursing, or related fields. In 2024, the fund made its first of many awards to two high school graduates beginning their nursing journeys.

“Receiving this bursary has impacted my future greatly and will allow me a smooth start on my journey through nursing school,” Leah Pearson-White writes in a heartfelt letter.

Beyond these funds, Mary’s generosity extended to the YMCA Camp Elphinstone Youth Development Fund, with an initial $50,000 contribution to support youth leadership and skill-building opportunities.

“We are so grateful for the funds Mary left, as they will have a significant impact on young people, allowing us to provide leadership, skill development and access to programs that build confidence, positive mental health and time outdoors. These funds will ensure that youth, whose families have financial barriers, can build connections, develop self-identity and independence, helping them to grow and succeed,” explains Lisa Stiver, Director of Fund Development at YMCA BC.

Mary Gordon and her family’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder that true philanthropy is measured not by the size of the gift, but by the depth of its impact. Through her thoughtful and intentional giving, she has left a lasting imprint on many parts of our community, one that will continue to strengthen the Sunshine Coast for years to come.

“Mary’s gift is uniquely impactful, not only because of the sheer size of the donation, but because she had such a wide array of interests that were important in her life. It’s an honour to help shape a gift that will be a true reflection of the person behind it,” notes Erin Storey, Executive Director of the Sunshine Coast Foundation. “One of the most important steps in our gift acceptance process is that we take the time to really understand the person behind a gift – their vision and intent – so that we can activate the funds in a way that truly captures and honours a person’s legacy.”

“In Mary’s case, it’s very important to her loved ones that this gift inspires others to really think about their own legacies and consider shaping gifts during their lifetimes as Mary did. I’m hoping my phone starts ringing and my inbox overflows with inquiries so we can make this charitable wish come true,” notes Storey.

As your local community foundation, the Sunshine Coast Foundation is honoured to help others like Mary shape their own legacies and ensure their philanthropic visions are brought to life in meaningful ways. Whether your interest is specific, like healthcare, education, the arts, conservation, housing, or a combination of several interests, we offer flexible ways to ensure your generosity has the potential to create lasting change.

Take the first step in creating your own legacy.

Discover your giving values and goals using our Donor Impact Questionnaire.

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All photos courtesy of Mary Caros.

Interviews and article by Lisa Furfaro.