Following a life filled with abundant love, joy, and spirit, and in her 95th year, Mary was reunited with her beloved husband, Ken (1999), and her dearly loved daughter, Dianne (1974), and by many family and friends who have gone before her. She passed, surrounded by family, on Monday, October 9th, 2023.
Mary was an incredibly loving and devoted mother to Gordon Pierce (Hélène), Bernadette de Munnik, Anita Pierce (Dave), Dianne Pierce (predeceased 1974), Joyce Pierce, Marlene Nevill (Ian) and long-time son-in-law Theo de Munnik. Cherished grandmother of Jeffery (Cathy), Daniel (Tasya), Kenny, Steven (Erin), Victoria (Alex), Philippe (Renata), Emily (James), Brandon (Josh), Brian P. (Lucie), Brian N. (Justine), Kieran (Matisse), and Sean, and ever-proud great grandmother (known to many as “GG”) to Zoë, Elizabeth, Jaxon, Lydia, Claire, Emmett, Cardella, Faye, Valerie and Marin.
She modelled an unconditional love for us all to aspire to in her memory.
Mary was born in Newton, Massachusetts on September 24, 1929 to her late parents Victor & Mary Patricia MacPhee. Predeceased by her siblings Florence, Thelma, Anita, and Victor. Mary will be fondly remembered by all her Hryhor, Leonard, MacPhee, Myers, Yetman, and Pierce extended family.
Growing up, she spent many years living on Canada's East Coast (particularly PEI) until moving to Orillia with her beloved husband and six young children in 1967. Mary's genuine and motherly love for all children was also embodied in her nursing career – particularly, 17 years in the Pediatrics Department at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. She also enjoyed her 34 years of retirement!
She had a wonderful sense of humour and zest for life to the end. She loved to dance and sing with family or at the Royal Canadian Legion or Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans club. She took advantage of any opportunity to travel. She could be heard to say every spring: “Oh to hell with it, let’s just get in the car and go east!” Most recently, in 2022, she went to Florida and tried driving a golf cart! Her joyful spirit was only matched by her openness and kindness to all who came knocking on her door. Many did come knocking and both individuals and families sometimes stayed for months and years at a time!
Visitation will be held at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N., Orillia on Thursday, October 12th from 5 - 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Guardian Angels Church, West St. N., Orillia, on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Internment to follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, 7975 ON-12, Orillia.
In memory of Mary, please consider showing an act of kindness to anyone in need -- as she would always say, "what's one more potato in the pot" -- or by donating to Sharing Place, Orillia, St Vincent de Paul Society or Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Foundation. Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.mundellfuneralhome.com