Mary Walmsley

Mary Calder Walmsley (Ritchie)

January 31, 1925 – March 7, 2021

Heaven has gained a very special angel. Peacefully in her sleep, at home, Mary took her last breath and joined so many loved ones above. Beloved wife of the late Glenn (2010). Predeceased by her daughter Nancy (2009) and son Ian (1976). Will be forever missed by her daughter Gail (Robert). Loving grandmother of Hillary, Rosalind and Stacey (Anton). Adoring great grandmother to Nolan, Marley, Finley, Ian, Elora and Theo. Will be sorely missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Born on a farm in Beaverton, she spent many days having fun with her siblings Isabel, Lloyd, Betty and Don. She also enjoyed time with her five Ritchie cousins, their closest neighbours. Many days were spent with her siblings and her cousins.

Her kind, caring and compassionate nature lead her to study nursing in Toronto. Shortly after graduating in 1947, she married the love of her life Glenn and had 3 beautiful children. Her compassion and love of caring for others became even more evident when her youngest, Ian was born with Muscular Dystrophy.

As a youngster, Mary was a very active baseball player who enjoyed travelling around to neighbouring towns with her team. Her strength and competitive nature was very apparent and carried her throughout her life for her many passions and hobbies

Mary created many traditions and happy memories at their cottage on Chandos Lake, often sharing their family cottage with many friends and family over the years - always making guests feel welcome with her delicious home cooking and great conversation around the bonfire. This was a great place for her to nurture her passion for bird watching where she was rarely far from a pair of binoculars or her bird books. She loved spending time with many family members and thoroughly enjoyed watching her grand-kids grow up at the lake, surrounding them with fun and love.

Family meant the world to her and she absolutely loved a good family gathering of which there were many. Complete with an excess of home-cooked food, she would always make sure to chat with each guest, always showing her caring, compassionate and loving ways. Mary had the natural ability to talk to anyone as though they’d know each other forever. Her smile was contagious and brought out the sparkle in her eyes.

Mary was a great travel companion for her adventurous husband and they made many memorable trips together. Often their yearly trip to Florida would be cut short because of her dedication to her work as a canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For many years she went door-to-door and no doubt connected with many neighbours on a personal level.

The Northminster United Church family was a wonderful source of joy for her for many years.

She wanted to take care of everyone around her and always showed interest in peoples lives in a very loving way of making people feel special.

In her later years, many remember the excitement she expressed when visitors would enter the room and she would excitedly rub her hands together and flash that smile of hers! You could feel the love. She is also remembered for her love of telling stories and how she would start laughing so hard she could barely get through the story! By the end, no one knew what the story was but everyone was laughing.

She had a hand in the creation of the bridge club at the Senior Citizens Centre in Oshawa and was always up for a card game with her grandkids and cousins!

Thank you to the team of PSW’s who so lovingly cared for Grandma and treated her like a member of their own family. I can’t thank them enough for being there. Thank you also to all of the wonderful caregivers at the OSCC Day Programme for Seniors. Absolutely amazing.

Memorial donations to Northminster United Church, Alzheimer Society of Ontario, Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre Specialized Day Programme or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the Walmsley family.

Rest peacefully Mom.

Until we meet again.