After a brief hospitalization, and in her 99th year, it is with sadness that the family of Mary Elizabeth Powrie (Clayton) announce her passing on September 22, 2023. As our kind, beloved matriarch, her passing leaves a large hole in our family, and in our hearts. We are so grateful to have spent our lives surrounded by her love.

Mary was predeceased by her husband and soulmate of 56 years, Gordon who passed away in 2003. Always one to enjoy family gatherings, she lived another twenty years, a blessing for us as we shared so many more milestones and memories. Now, we are comforted knowing they are reunited.

Mary was the cherished, supportive and adoring mother of Mary Ann (Mark), Gail (Ted) and Judith (Don), devoted grandmother to Darryl (Erin), Sarah (Andrew), Lynn (Charlie), Katie (Jiwan) and Scott and special great-grandmother to Robbie, Josephine, Cecelia, Aidan, Owen, Savleen, Jayveer and Jaanvi.

Mary was aptly named given she was a December baby, the youngest of 4 children born in the town of Lambton Mills, now known as the Kingsway area of Etobicoke. She attended Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute. After graduating high school early, at the age of 16, she was recruited to work as a bookkeeper for Eaton’s Department Store. She purchased her first home at the age of 18 in her childhood neighbourhood, a feat accomplished by few single women in the 1940’s. She was proud of her Clayton heritage in this community and her life spent in Toronto.

Mary was an advanced knitter who put love into each stitch, her hand designed Fishermen Knit sweaters were her signature trademark. She was a skilled pianist and relished watching her family members follow her love of music. She shared her sense of adventure and fun with family and friends, once as a teen biking from Toronto to Guelph with her cousin. As she aged she enjoyed activities such as reading, colouring, crosswords, and knitting, always her favourite passion. During the pandemic, ever resilient, she remained positive and adapted to living more in isolation. She learned how to FaceTime on an iPad to stay connected with her family. She was determined to have time with family and would not let isolation or the virus take that away from her.

Mary had a wonderful sense of humour and quick wit that had everyone in the room smiling in her presence. She was skilled with words, wrote eloquent and heart-felt notes and poems with ease. She was a person you could always turn to for her wisdom and solace, without judgement. She epitomized the words ‘Mom’ and ‘Grandma’. Mary was everyone’s second Mom or Grandma.

The family would like to thank her personal support workers and the staff at the Grenadier Retirement Residence where she lived for 23 years. They also thank the St. Joseph’s Health Centre, the General Medicine Team, and especially Dr. Quigley and the Palliative Care team for their wonderful care and compassion.

Although she is no longer here with us, her beautiful soul, positive outlook on life, strength and courage will continue to guide and inspire us. Her values of kindness, love and compassion will live on in her family.

A private family gathering and cremation have taken place. Celebration of Life arrangements have yet to be finalized.

If desired, donations can be made in Mary’s honour to St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation or a charity of your choice.