With great sorrow, we have to announce the passing of Mary Lister on the 4th April 2025

Mary Lister], passed away peacefully on 04/04/2025 surrounded by family and loved one she lived a life full of kindness, strength, and unforgettable moments. We invite you to join us in remembering and honouring the legacy that was created with her husband John what is Cardiff Athletics today.

It is with great sadness that we report the death on 4th April of the Cardiff Club life member Mary Lister at the age of 87. Husband John, one of the leading lights of European athletics died in 2023.

Son Mark, whose involvement with the club brought his mother to the club said: “She enjoyed her athletics over so many years with John and through her involvement with the Cardiff Club. She was so grateful for this and the close friends she made and the people she met as a result.”

She was awarded the Welsh Athletics Meritorious Award in 2009 in recognition of her services to athletics in Wales.

Mary was a committee member of the Cardiff Club for well over half a century and her main focus during this time was as the leading light in running the club canteen, a vital part of the club, not only for its fundraising for club activities, but as the social point on club training evenings and competition days.

Come rain or shine, it was Mary, along with the late Kath Evans who would be in charge of the canteen, initially at Maindy Stadium in the early 1970s and then on the opening of the first Leckwith Stadium and subsequently the current Cardiff clubroom at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Mary would be the welcoming and ever-present face behind the counter.

The Cardiff clubhouse canteen, like a lot of sports clubs, is the main source of income to the Cardiff Club and without it there’s no doubt that the club would have struggled to operate. The canteen was so important that on some club nights, you would have the late Chair of the UK governing body Bill Evans and Mary’s husband John, the UK treasurer, manning the canteen. Such was the importance of the canteen.

Mary’s late husband John often said that he would not have been able to achieve what he did as one of Europe’s leading athletics administrators without Mary’s support as his constant companion at many of his official duties throughout Europe. 

Mary was a much-loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother and everyone in the Cardiff Club and Welsh Athletics who knew her send their condolences to her family.

Clive Williams

We are heartbroken to share the passing of Mary Lister, a true pillar of Cardiff Athletics.
Mary gave so much of her time, heart, and energy to our club, and her legacy will live on in every race and every life she touched.
Thank you, Mary. You will be dearly missed.

Lorraine Price

Cardiff Athletics Club Manager

Very sad indeed. Mary was at the heart of the club giving countless hours every week for many, many years to provide opportunities for young people to enjoy the sport of track and field. She never sought reward or publicity but without her efforts the lives of many Cardiff athletes would have been undoubtedly poorer.

Nigel Walker

Current Club President, Club Athlete

Very sad news to hear of the passing of Mary Lister.
Despite only knowing Mary for a short time during the twilight of her distinguished service to Cardiff Athletics, it is with huge gratitude and great fondness that her contribution to the club and her warmth as a person will be remembered.
As all associated with Athletics will know, the sport only functions because of the generosity of the volunteers that give their time without any expectation of recognition. Mary epitomised this spirit and rightly has been recognised by both Club and Country for her efforts.
If medals were awarded and world records recorded for volunteer contribution, Mary’s personal best would surely be unsurpassed!
Thank you Mary, from all at Cardiff Athletics.

Mike Farrell

Current Chairmam Cardiff Athletics

Very sad news, Mary  was Cardiff AAC. I remember her when I was 15 years old a young athlete she was a huge part of the club, she never missed a club night and was always on hand to help and support all athletes and members. A Lovely lady will be sorely missed.
My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

Helen James

Commitee Member,Coach,Athlete

So sad

Mary was such an important part of Cardiff AAC and then Cardiff Athletics.  She was great support of the club over the years. Part of the backbone of the club keeping it going. Supporting local meetings and fixtures afar. You would see her in the canteen with a smile on her face ensuring there was a good variety of penny sweets. I am sure many of the older athletes will have stories of the club kitchen and Mary. It brings a smile to my face thinking about her behind the counter. Her smile would light up a room. As soon as your cup was empty Mary would be cleaning it away. No mess would be left when Mary was there. Everything in its place and a place for everything.  Mary was the person that allowed John to out his mark on Athletics in Britain. She will be a lost to the club and British Athletics.  She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers go to family and friends ,

Alyson Hourihan

Cardiff Athletics Coach,Athlete

It’s so sad to hear of Mary death, so soon after John .
Mary was at the heart of the club, she will be sadly missed
By all members and has left a
Lasting legacy.
Rest in peace.

Bernie Plain MBE

Cardiff Athlete .Committee Member

Mary was a rock for Cardiff  Athletics, she served in the canteen for more than 50 years and loved to help the little ones with their 2pence after training
Mary was well known in Europe as John’s partner in the highest levels of European sport
Mary will be sorely missed
Our great club will be forever grateful for the likes of Mary

Graham Webb

Cardiff Athlete,Commitee Member

Mary was a true stalwart of Cardiff Athletics for many years, along with her late husband John. She ran the canteen as long as I can remember, patiently providing drinks, toasted teacakes, bags of sweets and a welcoming smile. Mary had her helpers trained like a well-oiled machine, they all knew their drill.
She took a keen interest in the athletes and followed their progress whether they were young beginners or international stars. 

from

Debbie Bull

Cardiff Member

When I started and she gave me a lift down for a few years or John did, She was always supporting the club and athletes and had many stories to tell about the athletes !! I think the tuck shop is still going well as many of us knew and worked with Mary and she put us on the right track and was always there to encourage and support everyone A brilliant example to us all xxx 

Ceri Launders

Cardiff Member

Yes just a thank you for all her years of support  for the club running the tuck shop and also her support, interest and  encouragement to all the athlete

Karen Seary

Cardiff Member