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Posted Jan 20, 2025 | 1:32 PM
MARY KATHLEEN STEBBINS
(Formerly RANKINE/Nee LAUGHLIN)
January 2, 1924 – January 18, 2025
Mary loved to sing. She used to tell her children, “One day, you will miss hearing my voice.” That day has come.
A wise and witty woman who could comfort with a touch, to be certain you were listening, and regale with a story sure to make you smile.
Mary Laughlin grew up in Milltown, New Brunswick. After graduating from Miss Crabbe’s Business College, she moved to Ottawa to work in the stenographer pool at RCAF Headquarters on Lisgar Street. The woman in charge of the pool was Air Force. She wore a uniform and made twice as much money as the stenographers. Mary decided that enlisting would jump start her career. She returned to Milltown and signed up in Saint John. Once back home, Mary realized it was a pretty good place to be during the war. Handsome men in uniform were just a bus ride away. Saturday nights, Mary and her friends would travel to RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge, the Army Base at Gagetown in Oromocto, NB, or the Seabee Base in Eastport, Maine. It was there Mary’s sister Shirley met her husband, Ted Tebo.
When the Air Force called, Mary couldn’t go because her father had suffered a heart attack, and she had to stay at home to help her mother. Mary took a job at the cotton mill where she was a cost accountant.
She met her husband, Guy (Chummy) Rankine, at a New Year’s Day dance. She knew the Rankine family, and sister Shirley was good friends with Chum’s sister, Mona. Chum gave Mary a ride home from the dance and asked if she would like to travel to Fredericton with him the next day. It was her birthday, and she was excited to go on the outing. They were wed within three months and Mary was now mother to Chum’s two young children, Mona and Don.
The family moved to Scarborough after Ted was born. Max and Kathleen were born there and then there were five. Over the years in Scarborough, Mary worked as an Avon Lady and later as a switchboard operator at Eaton’s. Chum passed away in January of 1971 leaving Mary with four children still at home.
In the summer of 1972, Mary’s son Ted was working as a dive instructor at the Delawana Inn. He encouraged Mom to visit and introduced her to Les Stebbins who had a trailer at the park where Ted had set up camp. The following year, Mary moved to Honey Harbour where she worked at the Del, first in the gift shop and then in reservations. Mary and Les spent their summers in Cottage Country and winters at Holiday Lake in Florida. They were married in Florida and enjoyed ocean cruises almost every year they were together. Lester died in 1999, and Mary was widowed once more.
Mary was a lifelong learner who took a computer course at Seneca College when she was 79. Just before her 93rd birthday, Mary received an iPad from son Ted and soon learned how to navigate many of its apps. Mary even broadcast a live video on Facebook, though she later admitted she had no idea how she did it.
Mary is survived by her children, Mona (Eddie Dakon), Don (Carolyn Braunlich), Ted (Helga, nee Hasse), Max (Barbara Carnegie), and Kathleen (Steve Bolton). She is remembered by her grandchildren, Robert, Eddie, and Monty; Patrick and Perry; Stephanie and Laura; Janine and Lauren; and Greg. Mary is also remembered by her great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins; especially Ann Laughlin, Mitch Tebo, and Carol Gribbon.
Mary was pre-deceased by her sister Shirley, brother Bill, sister Ruth, and husbands Guy Edward (Chummy) Rankine and Lester Sirl Stebbins as well as her cherished companion Des Madden.
During her time in Florida and later in retirement communities in Oak Ridges and Trenton, Mary delighted audiences with her singing. Her performances can be seen on YouTube, and she would be ecstatic to know we can still hear her voice!
Respecting Mary’s wishes, following cremation, a celebration of life will be held later with interment at the St Stephen Rural Cemetery. Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.weaverfuneralhomes.com