Mary Lymburner

Nomination by St. Philip's

Dr. Mary Lymburner is a retired physician who strengthens needy people to face challenges of many kinds. St. Philip’s Anglican Church in Dunbar became her church community as she and her husband raised their three children. Central to her active faith, Mary’s ministries at St Philip’s have ranged from Sunday School teacher to Parish Warden, but Outreach work epitomizes Mary’s humble dedication to others. Mary’s patience and tenacity make her an invaluable volunteer. She plays crucial roles in the parish’s refugee sponsorship and serves on the Refugee Unit of the Lower Mainland’s Anglican Diocese. She has been instrumental in St. Philip’s three refugee sponsorships, especially the current sponsorship of a large Syrian refugee family spanning three generations. She also works with the West Side Neighbourhood Street Ministry run by four Anglican churches whose volunteer teams visit, feed, support and tend to vulnerable people living homeless or newly housed on the West Side. Mary knows that vulnerable people live in every postal code, including the West Side. She meets and accepts people as they are, uses her resources to improve their lives, and draws deeply on her dedication, positivity, knowledge, experience and stamina. Mary Lymburner is indeed a Hidden Hero.

Acknowledgement by Joyce Murray