Passed away peacefully April 30 at Eden House LTC facility surrounded by family and caring staff. While raising a family Mary graduated from Hamilton Teaching College in 1968 and also obtained her BA in 1978 from Wilfrid Laurier University. Along with her teaching certificate and BA Mary also achieved additional special education credits giving her further accreditation. Starting her career in the primary grades she eventually found her true calling teaching special needs children and adults which lasted the majority of her career. Sometimes affectionately known as “Mary Monsoon” because of her no non-sense teaching style, a moniker she wore proudly. After retiring from teaching in 1995 volunteering at several local public schools would help keep her engaged and also afford her the opportunity to keep an eye on grandchildren. She was veracious reader of non-fiction books and a daily Globe and Mail and was still reading in the days before her passing. Mary’s simple pleasures included summers spent on Lake Huron, indulging in butter tarts from Belwood and the occasional sipping of Southern Comfort. Her love of nature, bold fashion sense and her panache for making inappropriate jokes will continue in our memories. Mary will be remembered fondly by her family, friends and those whose lives she touched with her warm embracing hugs and youthful spirit. An enormous thank you to Eden House staff for making Mary feel loved and at home all these years, truly remarkable people. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a donation in memory of Mary we ask that donations be made to the Guelph Humane Society.
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