Our family is saddened to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved wife, sister, mom, grandma, and friend the morning of July 5th, 2017 at Concordia Place at age 82. She passed in the loving presence of family and her soul mate of 58 years, husband Robert (Bob) Vollrath.

 

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Archibald and Lillian (née Blake) McIvor and many close friends. She will be lovingly remembered and so very missed by her five sisters Audrey (Henry) Leis, Irene (Walter) Manveiler, Dorothy (Jesse) Sturtevant, Mildred (Malcolm) Buchanan, and Beverly (Stan) Grabowecky; daughters Charlene (Jeff Catania) and Tannis; three grandsons, who lit up her world, Dustin Furtado and Evan and Owen Catania; a huge extended family of nieces and nephews, many friends and above all, her pillar of unwavering support, kindness, love, and patience, husband Bob.

 

Born near Stonewall into a large, loving, hardworking farm family, Mary moved to Winnipeg and worked as a stenographer at Toronto Trust prior to meeting the love of her life. Mary and Bob married in 1959 and lovingly raised their two adopted daughters in Fort Rouge. They loved camping, travelling out west and spending time with Mary’s sisters and their families.  Mary supported the local community through her volunteering and organizing of school and extracurricular events, and provided the best homemade sweets.  Mary and Bob loved to travel to Toronto to visit their grandsons and enjoyed many trips south with friends - Vegas, Branson and Florida were favourites.  Her love of ‘old’ country was legendary and she so enjoyed attending concerts of her favourite performers.

 

Mary was a lover of curling and spent many years playing.  When health issues prevented her from getting onto the ice, come late winter you could always find Mary glued to a television set, catching every game of Canadian and international tournaments.

 

Mary was a caregiver above all; as a sister, daughter and friend but especially as a wife, mother and grandmother. She poured loving energy into caring for all those around her, especially to those who struggled, and many have been a fortunate recipient of that love, like her famously large cookie shipments. Mary loved playing games with her family and grandsons, laughing uproariously to their sheer delight. She loved to entertain and always created a space that welcomed with boundless love, crushing hugs, and plentiful, delicious food.

 

When beset by serious health issues, Mary’s strength and stoicism, combined with her unfailing sense of humour, allowed her to continue to enjoy life and family. She laughed about the world, and especially herself, showing her obliging and receptive heart. Mary did not talk about what ailed her, preferring instead to ask what others needed and then selflessly provided. It was a gift to know Mary and be a recipient of her unconditional love, embodied in her words and actions.

 

Following many challenging health concerns, Mary/Mom/Grandma is finally at peace, and will forever be missed and always in our hearts.

 

The family would like to extend special and heartfelt thanks to the executive and nursing teams at Fred Douglas Lodge for their care, patience, and support and to Mary’s friend Shirley Kizlik for her love and support over the years.

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As per Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service.

 

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Marymound.