1977 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Mary Boutilier

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National Memorial (Silver) Mother Mary Boutilier.
(Photo: Operation Picture Me)

Mrs. Mary Boutilier, née Labelle, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, was the 1977 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1977, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On August 29, 1944, her son, Private Douglas Albert Henry Boutilier, was killed while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

On September 10, 1944, a second son, Corporal William Charles Boutilier , was killed while serving with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

Mrs. Boutilier was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 2, 1900. On August 14, 1917 she maried John James Boutilier and she remained in Halifax until 1923 when he returned from the First World War. She lived through the Halifax Explosion. In 1923, they moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario with their fours sons Gordon, Douglas, William and Fred. In Niagra Falls they has Jackie (died as infant), Grace, Shirley, Ken and Harry.

When the Second World War started her husband John enlisted. He was a Sergeant-major. In 1939, Gordon, Douglas and William enlisted with Fred following shortly after. They left their mom a note saying they wre signing up.

Mary was at home raising five children and involved in the Army Service Patrol, a home front war effort. She started the Ladies Auxillary at Legion branches 479 and 51, as well as Silver Cross mothers in the Niagara region. Two of her great grandsons joined the military.

List of National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mothers

(Information courtesy of the Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian War Museum and families of the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mothers)