McKay, Ann Maria 'Marie'
Marie passed away peacefully at her home in Meaford on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 95.
Born on June 28th, 1929 in Tyne Dock, South Shields, North Eastern England. Marie grew up during the Great Depression and WW2. Her parents separated when she was 3, which resulted in her being sent to grandparents to be raised. The family was poor, so school ended for her at 13, a year before the legal age of 14; rules got bent during the war. Her first job was at a corner grocery store. When she was 15, she decided to move to the city of London and became a domestic; a family tradition.
After several placements, along with her friend Lorraine she had met on the way, they decided to move up in the world and become waitresses; an improvement in status and pay.
In the late 1940’s the world was on the move, young people going to far away places to start new lives, so Marie and Lorraine joined them and emigrated to Canada in 1950. After several waitressing jobs, the hospital environment was where Marie found her niche; she worked her way up from kitchen maid to Registered Nurse.
She loved living in Meaford, and leaves with few regrets and much to celebrate. She had a truly wonderful marriage with a one-of-a-kind man; Gordon McKay who predeceased her in 1999. She will be missed by her son Stephen McKay (Parvine Sadeghi) and her daughter Catharine McKay (Leo McClymont). She was the proud grandmother of Shireen McKay, who she absolutely adored. Marie treasured her friendships, and had a career that was incredibly rewarding.
A funeral service celebrating Marie’s life will be conducted at the Meaford United Church on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11 o’clock. A reception will follow in the galleries at the Meaford Hall, where family and friends can gather to share refreshments and memories of Marie.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to Meaford Friends of the Library would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
A funeral service celebrating Marie’s life will be conducted at the Meaford United Church. Reception following at Meaford Hall.
Make a donation in memory of Ann Maria 'Marie' McKay
Donations: Friends of the Meaford LibraryDonate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Mrs. McKay… she was a wonderful neighbour. She was always doing something, a great lady, we will miss seeing her out walking.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Remembering a truly remarkable woman, a true and caring friend who knew how to live life to the fullest. An inspiration to all who were lucky enough to have known her. She will be missed and always in our thoughts with many happy memories.
Our condolences to the family.
Heather and Peter LeGros
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Stephen & Cathy,
Your parents were both wonderful people. When your Mother chose to stay in the house on Bridge St. we were very grateful of her daily cheeriness. She stayed until she found another family to cherish your childhood home. I am thankful for all the joyful memories! May you continue to wrap yourself in a blanket of warm memories.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
What a remarkable person she was — she had so many interests and was always willing to help anyone in need. And a stubborn streak she had — not a bad thing. We have fond memories of this amazing lady. May she rest in peace.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Stephen & Cathy
I was so sorry to hear the news about your mom’s passing. She was a beautiful woman. I have many memories of your parents and the two of you from my years of babysitting in your Bridge Street home. In my later years, your mom was the nurse called in to help deliver my son. It was a welcome relief to have someone with me that I knew. Hold on to your precious memories
Anita Cornfield (Brndjar)
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Catherine and Steven and families your mom was so gracious friendly and full of life. We have lost a great lady with her passing, our sincere condolences hold and cherish your memories close.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
I had the pleasure of working with Marie when she was a member of our local Outreach committee. Years later, I would see Marie when she was delivering library books to the residents of our Meaford Longterm Care.
Thank you Marie for your many years of volunteering to assist the more vulnerable members of our community.
Lorene Taylor
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Marie was a co-worker and a friend. The word grace comes to me when I think of her. She beamed when she spoke of Shireen the last few times I talked with her. Condolences to Steve and Kathy. She will be missed by all the Meaford crew.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Stephen and Cathy, I am so saddened to read of the loss of your Mom. She was a beautiful, kind and lovely lady, a class act always. I have great memories of working for your parents. They inspired me to go forward and make DQ my life for many years. I will miss seeing your mom walking. My sincerest condolences to you both and to your families.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
A really nice lady. I knew her from her many years of great work as a Net Shed volunteer.
My condolences to her family.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Cathy and Stephen
Janet and I were saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a kind and caring person who contributed so much to her church and her community. May your many good memories be a blessing to you at this time.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Our sincere condolences to Marie’s family. She was a neighbour to us for many wonderful years and will be dearly missed by all who knew her, family, friends and coworkers at the Meaford Hospital. Your memories of her will be cherished and held close to your hearts.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Marie was a very good person and nurse. She loved Gord and Steve and Kathy more than herself. Her accomplishments were inspiring. She held all our respect and love
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Our condolences to the family of Marie. Ron & I got to know your mom on our Mediterranean Cruise in 2008. Over the next 16 years we enjoyed her company at different events. She was a very intelligent lady that seemed to enjoy listening to what one may say and then would tell you what she thought. I liked her honesty. She will be missed by many of us. Bless you all.
Thursday, July 4, 2024
50 years of memories. She was an amazing person. She was a beautiful role model in every aspect of her life.
She never knew how much she influenced me. And probably didn’t know how much my husband admired her.
She will leave a large hole in the lives of everyone she touched.
Our deepest condolences to Steve, Cathy and families.
Friday, July 5, 2024
Cathy and Steve,
Wes and I first met Maria about 10 years ago when we started doing tai chi, and she was a pro at 85! . Wish we had met her sooner! Such a gracious lady, kind and caring, always giving of herself to others. She was always determined to do more in her life. A life well lived!
We have appreciated her friendship and encouragement. We will miss her!
Wes and Fionnuala Sparling
Friday, July 5, 2024
My sincere condolences to the McKay family. Marie was a lovely person, always friendly, always kind. She will certainly be missed.
Friday, July 5, 2024
Dear Steve and Cathy. I had some lovely visits with your mom over the past couple of months. We talked about the good things, living in Meaford. Maria loved being a nurse at Meaford Hospital. She and Gord enjoyed the social events together eg. dances and church. We had some good laughs about you two little devils (in your youth, of course). Your mom was very proud of you. It’s very cool that you each followed your parents’ professions. Marie and Gord will always be with you because you are made from them. You both have your dad’s “twinkle eyes” and your mom’s “luxury legs” and all the good things that come from the heart.
Rest in peace, Marie.
Friday, July 5, 2024
A fantastic woman. I got to know her in OSRSN. 10 years ago I had the priviledge of having lunch in her home. Always hoped she could have visited me in the Netherlands. Just the other day I was telling our neighbour lady about Maria.
Memories will stay.
Friday, July 5, 2024
My condolences to Maria’s family. As a fellow student with Maria at OSRSN class of 74, I am so sad to hear of her passing. This year our class will be celebrating our 50th Reunion of our graduation. When I spoke to Maria about our plans, she was so happy to hear we were getting together to celebrate. We could always count Maria in. She was such a good sport. One night at our 40th Reunion, she showed up for dinner wearing her student uniform. She was a very special lady!
Friday, July 5, 2024
I too graduated from OSRSN with Maria in 1974. It was wonderful to see her at our 40th reunion and I was really hoping to see her again at our 50th in September.
Rest In Peace Maria, until we meet again.
Sincere sympathy to all her family.
Brenda Hunter❤️
Friday, July 5, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of your loss and I send you my sincerest condolences.
I was in her OSRSN 74 graduating class and I remember her ready smile and gracious ways fondly