John, Brenda and Family

I was blessed to get the chance to get to know Mary for almost 6 years, With Mary trying to teach me Irish and I to teach her Italian. She was always the better teacher. There was some hard times there was a lot of great times, laughter with her quick wit and adventures. The fond memories I will keep is when she woke in the morning, She would say "Italiano" I would reply yes Mary it's Me. She would say oh Thank God it's you! Are you going to mind me today. I would say I will try my best! She was always ready for a hug.

To share a lesson Mary instilled in me over the years is to never to pray for patience. Because you might get the chance to use it. Pray for compassion. Another is when Mary would call out Francine. I would bolt out with here I'm Lord, Is it I Lord! and we would sing the song together. I will definitely miss the cups of teas and conversations about her childhood and her past. I will be reminded of her when I see Peoples Friends magazine or any of her murder mystery shows I will think of Mary.

Mary had many names for me as in Francine, French, Italiano ,Dominica and the best is Big Chief Walla Walla. Yet her heart always new Who I was when she looked into my eyes.

As much as I was there to help her. She also helped me in so many other ways.

A personal note to Mary There is times I let you win at playing crazy 8's.

Love always Francine

My Auntie Mary was a fierce, indomitable force of nature, with the warmest, most generous heart. She was an incredible knitter (she was very patient and tried to teach me several times, but I could never pick it up), had a wicked sense of humour, and her scones were to die for. On holidays, she would single-handedly cook up impressive feasts and the most beautiful frosted Christmas cake, and gave such thoughtful gifts (I have many beautiful books and china dolls in my collection thanks to her). She loved a good cup of tea and a long chat with my mom.

I have very fond memories of us going on family vacations to various cottages at Wasaga Beach, Niagara Falls every March break, and my first Disney World trip in 2002. When I was little, she’d sometimes have me help her clean the house, but would always reward me with pancakes afterwards. When I was in grade 9, she graciously let me spend Take Your Kid To Work Day with her, learning all her tricks and skills as a travel agent, and then took me for lunch and ice cream. Before she got sick, she and my Uncle John attended every single show I was ever in, and she loved to hear me sing. Afterwards, even when she got confused sometimes, she would still remember to ask me what show I was in at that particular moment. She was thrilled when I decided to minor in Celtic Studies at University of Toronto.

I will miss our talks, with all the stories she told me of Ireland and the mischief she got up to in her youth, and her teaching me Irish vocabulary. I am so happy that she was able to attend her daughter’s wedding a few years ago, and meet her grandson, Cian, last year.

One of my last memories of her is in the hospital, unable to speak, but still tapping along to the Irish tune her sister was singing. She was sick for so long, and what a fighter she was. I’m glad she can finally rest. I will miss her terribly.