Mary Giuliano arrived in Fernie in May 1953 and devoted her life to her family and to making Fernie a better place. She sadly passed away in the summer of 2024. Mary loved the Elk Valley and everything it stood for—good water, clean air, breathtaking mountains, rich vegetation, and a high quality of life. “On a clear sunny day, Fernie is as close as one can get to being in heaven,” she once said.
Mary was married to Nick for 61 years; he passed away six months after her passing. Together, they made a lasting impact on their community. They had four grown children and two grandchildren, all of whom were very close to their hearts. She was fortunate to have family and friends who continue to call Fernie home.
Mary’s love for Fernie inspired her to become actively involved in the community. She participated in and organized numerous groups and special events. She served on the Fernie Library Board for nine years and was a member of the Kinettes/Kinsmen Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Legion, PAC, Fernie Kids Club, and the Fernie Derrick Society. She remained a member of the CWL and the Fernie Heritage Trust Society.
Mary joined the Elk Valley Coalition, helping to organize several demonstrations to maintain health care services at the local hospital. She also orchestrated a highway traffic stop to attract national media attention to the fight for keeping the hospital’s operating room open. She was instrumental in acquiring a dialysis unit at the Sparwood Health Center, ensuring Elk Valley residents no longer had to travel to Fort Macleod or Trail for treatment multiple times a week.
Mary coordinated numerous projects, including the yearlong Festa Italiana in 1998 and the fundraising and rehabilitation of the oil derrick site, forming a non-profit society to save the derrick and oversee its ongoing improvements.
For twelve years, she hosted and produced a volunteer television show on Monarch and Shaw Cable and online. Her passion for writing led her to contribute to the Free Press newspaper for over 28 years, as well as to Fernie.com, e-know, and various other publications.
In 2010, Mary played a key role in preventing a water bottling plant from directly tapping into Fernie’s water source, an effort that ultimately motivated her to run for City Council in 2011. She went on to serve three terms as Councillor and two terms as Mayor of the City of Fernie.
During her time in office, Mary introduced numerous programs, including the Junior Achievement Award, the addition of benches at the cemetery and several bus stops, and an increase in preferred parking spots on Main Street. She initiated the renovation of the Legion Cemetery entrance, including a new gate and landscaping, and launched the beautification flower program.
She also developed the windrow clearing program for seniors and residents with disabilities, initiated the Dumpster painting program, and coordinated the commemorative Fernie stamp and celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the 1908 Fernie fire.
She facilitated the replacement of the Lizard Creek Bridge, completed in 2020, and successfully advocated for a wildlife corridor to enhance animal safety. Additionally, she fundraised and coordinated the Miners Walk Exhibit in front of City Hall.
Mary was committed to enhancing services for seniors, advancing annual grant funding for the Seniors Center to enable the hiring of a part-time administrator. She also led a campaign against poor highway maintenance and accepted the challenge from Mayor Nenshi of Calgary to introduce poetry readings at council meetings, an initiative she successfully brought forward.
As a member of City Council, Mary served on the boards of the Fernie and District Arts Council, Fernie Family Housing, the Historical Society, and the Heritage Library. Beyond her official roles, she was also an active volunteer within these organizations.
Rest in peace, Mary. Fernie is a better town because of you.
