In Celebration of
Mary Anne Elvira DeMonte-Whelan
November 27, 1956 - January 10, 2026
A life well lived.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Anne DeMonte-Whelan. An extraordinary woman deeply rooted in her family and community; her loss leaves a lasting absence for all who knew her.
Mary Anne is survived by her devoted husband of more than 43 years, Mike; her children, Sean and Elizabeth, their spouses, Kristen and Eric; and her beloved granddaughter, Kelly. She will be greatly missed by her sisters, Joan (Jeff), Cecilia (Andreas), and Antoinette; her brothers, Dante, John, and James (Natalie); her in laws, Kim, Trish (Martyn), Gerry, Linda, and Shelley; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and dear friends.
Born in Toronto to Elvira and Dante DeMonte, Mary Anne (Mary or MA to her family and closest friends) was raised and spent most of her life in the Baby Point neighbourhood she loved so dearly. She met Mike in their final year of high school, and they married in 1982, building a life centered on family, friendship, and community.
Mary Anne was an accomplished professional. She earned a Bachelor of Science from U of T and an MBA from the University of Windsor. She spent most of her career in investment banking, and was a top-ranked telecommunications analyst, earning recognition as an “All-Star Analyst.” She was an adjunct professor at U of T where she taught, and mentored students interested in corporate finance. She also served on numerous boards, including Enterprise Ireland, the York Library Board and LEAF (Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund). Most recently, she served on the board of the Ontario Securities Commission, work she cared about immensely, reflecting her strong commitment to Ontario’s capital markets.
Mary Anne came from a family devoted to public service. Her father was the first Italian Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario, and her mother served as Chair of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Continuing that legacy, Mary Anne ran for provincial office in 2011 as the Conservative candidate in Etobicoke Centre, where she mounted a formidable campaign and was one of only two candidates to significantly reduce the incumbent’s vote share.
Mary Anne was profoundly committed to her community. She was the Chair and Co Founder of the St. Joe’s Plate, a charity supporting young adult mental health, and served on the board of YouthLink. Mary Anne was also a respected leader in her neighbourhood, founding a heritage foundation, where she worked tirelessly to preserve the place she loved.
Above all else, Mary Anne was devoted to her family. She was the family’s matriarch, a steady anchor, always offering guidance and unwavering support to her siblings, children and husband. For more than 35 years, her home was the heart of family life, a place where holidays and celebrations brought everyone together. Year after year, she welcomed not only relatives but also friends and acquaintances who might otherwise have spent the season alone.
Mary Anne lived life with remarkable energy and infectious enthusiasm. She found joy outdoors skiing challenging slopes, refining her golf swing, rallying on the tennis court, taking long walks, and spending treasured time up north with family and close friends. During the holidays, she delighted in spreading Christmas cheer, joyfully joining the Salvation Army carollers—even though, as she often joked, she was blissfully tone deaf. She loved her trips to Italy, savoring every opportunity to connect with relatives and immerse herself in her family’s culture. A devoted member of her book club, she relished lively debates and spirited conversations about characters, and plot twists with friends she held dear. More recently, she had joined her neighborhood’s lawn bowling league, eager to embrace new adventures and friendships.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the exceptional hospital staff at St. Joseph’s, St. Michael’s and Princess Margaret.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Thursday January 22nd, at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Park Lawn Cemetery and a reception at St. George’s Golf Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Anne’s honour to the St. Joe’s Plate or the Canadian Cancer Society.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Anne DeMonte-Whelan. An extraordinary woman deeply rooted in her family and community; her loss leaves a lasting absence for all who knew her.
Mary Anne is survived by her devoted husband of more than 43 years, Mike; her children, Sean and Elizabeth, their spouses, Kristen and Eric; and her beloved granddaughter, Kelly. She will be greatly missed by her sisters, Joan (Jeff), Cecilia (Andreas), and Antoinette; her brothers, Dante, John, and James (Natalie); her in laws, Kim, Trish (Martyn), Gerry, Linda, and Shelley; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and dear friends.
Born in Toronto to Elvira and Dante DeMonte, Mary Anne (Mary or MA to her family and closest friends) was raised and spent most of her life in the Baby Point neighbourhood she loved so dearly. She met Mike in their final year of high school, and they married in 1982, building a life centered on family, friendship, and community.
Mary Anne was an accomplished professional. She earned a Bachelor of Science from U of T and an MBA from the University of Windsor. She spent most of her career in investment banking, and was a top-ranked telecommunications analyst, earning recognition as an “All-Star Analyst.” She was an adjunct professor at U of T where she taught, and mentored students interested in corporate finance. She also served on numerous boards, including Enterprise Ireland, the York Library Board and LEAF (Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund). Most recently, she served on the board of the Ontario Securities Commission, work she cared about immensely, reflecting her strong commitment to Ontario’s capital markets.
Mary Anne came from a family devoted to public service. Her father was the first Italian Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario, and her mother served as Chair of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Continuing that legacy, Mary Anne ran for provincial office in 2011 as the Conservative candidate in Etobicoke Centre, where she mounted a formidable campaign and was one of only two candidates to significantly reduce the incumbent’s vote share.
Mary Anne was profoundly committed to her community. She was the Chair and Co Founder of the St. Joe’s Plate, a charity supporting young adult mental health, and served on the board of YouthLink. Mary Anne was also a respected leader in her neighbourhood, founding a heritage foundation, where she worked tirelessly to preserve the place she loved.
Above all else, Mary Anne was devoted to her family. She was the family’s matriarch, a steady anchor, always offering guidance and unwavering support to her siblings, children and husband. For more than 35 years, her home was the heart of family life, a place where holidays and celebrations brought everyone together. Year after year, she welcomed not only relatives but also friends and acquaintances who might otherwise have spent the season alone.
Mary Anne lived life with remarkable energy and infectious enthusiasm. She found joy outdoors skiing challenging slopes, refining her golf swing, rallying on the tennis court, taking long walks, and spending treasured time up north with family and close friends. During the holidays, she delighted in spreading Christmas cheer, joyfully joining the Salvation Army carollers—even though, as she often joked, she was blissfully tone deaf. She loved her trips to Italy, savoring every opportunity to connect with relatives and immerse herself in her family’s culture. A devoted member of her book club, she relished lively debates and spirited conversations about characters, and plot twists with friends she held dear. More recently, she had joined her neighborhood’s lawn bowling league, eager to embrace new adventures and friendships.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the exceptional hospital staff at St. Joseph’s, St. Michael’s and Princess Margaret.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Thursday January 22nd, at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Park Lawn Cemetery and a reception at St. George’s Golf Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Anne’s honour to the St. Joe’s Plate or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Funeral Details
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Celebration of Life
Our Lady of Sorrows
3055 Bloor St. W. , Toronto, ON, M8X 1C6
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Thursday, 22 Jan 2026 11:00 AM
Interment
Park Lawn Cemetery
2845 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M8X 3A1
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Thursday, 22 Jan 2026 12:45 PM