Thank you AVFO Class 12

by Sean Samuel, Mary Swain Memorial Committee

Aviation lost a hero on April 3, 2013 when Mary Swain, more commonly known as “The Mary”, passed away. She was famous for running the coffee shop at Delta Heritage Airpark (CAK3), welcoming fellow pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and even the odd dog walker from the nearby trail with a smile and a cookie. On June 02, 2013 a memorial was held in her honour at the airpark.

An organizing committee was formed for the Memorial, expecting 200-300 people. Weeks of meetings passed and the day of the Memorial came and along with it more than 400+ people arrived! If it wasn’t for a special group of people the day wouldn’t have gone as smoothly as it did. This special group wasn’t the organizing committee or attendees of the Memorial, instead it was students of the Airline and Flight Operations Class 12! They volunteered on Sunday to help with the event logistics and to honour a person they had never even met. Without this group of young, soon-to-be Commercial Pilots,  things like car parking, guiding visitors, and setting up seating arrangements could have been a train wreck. To be honest, the clear sky and sunshine might’ve even been ‘The Mary’, smiling from above at the support given to honour her.

BCIT Flight Operations Class 12 receiving certificates for Outstanding Services

presented by the Mary Swain Memorial Committee.

Missing: Adam Wickham & Winston Chou.

To say thank-you, a volunteer BBQ was organized after the Memorial along with some free flights. But, as part of the organizing committee I can’t come close to expressing how much we appreciate the effort, enthusiasm, professionalism, and time these students devoted. On behalf of the Mary Swain Memorial Committee, I would like to wish these future aviators the best of luck in their careers.

For more information about this amazing woman, please click on the following link to the obituary of Mary Swain by the Vancouver Sun: www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=mary-swain&pid=164338253