It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Winifred Spear. She was born on December 30, 1928, in Valetta, Malta, moving to England when she was 3, and Canada in 1975. After 10 days in Huntsville hospital with family beside her, she passed away peacefully at the Huntsville Hospice.
She is predeceased by husband Julian, married for 56 years, and survived by loving daughters Rosemary (Jim), Diana (Steve) and Patricia (Martin); cherished grandchildren Christopher (Kelly), Jessica (Eric), Cassandra, Julian, Olivia, Ben and Meredith; great-grandchildren Emily and Claire.
In every town they lived, Mary made a home for the family to return to, made good friends and contributed to the community with her tireless volunteer work. Mary’s energy was amazing and she always completed what she signed up for. She received her Outstanding Service Pin in 1996, her Hospital Auxiliary Life Membership in 2002, the Ontario Service Award in 2010 and a Life Membership with the Anglican Church Women.
In Fort Frances, she was an educational assistant for children with exceptional abilities at J.W. Walker public school; she organised Girl Guides and made trifles for Culturama for many years. She was also active with Girl Guides in England; she knit teddy bears for charity and blankets for Huntsville and overseas; made cookies for Cookie Delight in Huntsville; she volunteered for the Huntsville Public School breakfast program and was a lunch supervisor; she was food convenor in the Huntsville hospital shop and volunteered as a receptionist for the Chiropody service; she helped at the Blood Donor clinics and collected for Tag Days (Animal Shelter, Cancer).
She loved her dogs, always a Golden Retriever, and enjoyed the support from her dog walking companions. When Honey passed away, Mary sold her house and moved to Roger’s Cove Retirement Home where she continued to volunteer and help others.
Her final days at the Huntsville hospital were made comfortable by some special people including Nancy, Maisie, Hannah, Justina, Dr O’Halloran, Dr Small and Dr Correrria.
She will be missed by all her friends including Joy, Irene, Bernice, Ruth, Peggy, Nicole and Thomas.
Mary will be forever loved by her family and never forgotten.
Her funeral is on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
All Saints’ Outreach Program
30 High Street, Huntsville ON P1H 1N9
Tel: 1-705-789-2216
Web: http:/allsaintshuntsville.ca
Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary
100 Frank Miller Drive, Huntsville ON P1H 1H7
Tel: 1-705-789-2311
Web: http:/www.mahc.ca/en/donate-volunteer/HuntsvilleHospitalAuxiliary.aspx
