Mary Deevey

Mary Deevey was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Mary will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

       She was the daughter of the late Frank and Dollie Reynolds and was raised with four siblings. She was the middle child between Carol and Ann, and Rob and Lynda. Mary was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. They experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, and it was sometimes said that Mary was the "Switzerland" of her family, always trying to stay neutral and keep the peace during disagreements.

       On July 1st, 1967, Mary gave birth to her daughter, Mary Christina, better known as Chris. Chris's father did not stick around for her birth, and was never heard from again after he left. Fortunately Mary had a strong support network of family and friends who helped her to raise little Chris, and they sure did a great job.

     On March 30th, 1973, Mary married Phillip Deevey and was welcomed into the Deevey family with open arms. This brought three step-sons into Mary's life, Dwayne, Mark, and Darren. Empathic and loyal, Mary was committed to making her new family happy. Sadly, in September of 1974, Mary gave birth to a stillborn baby, Laurie Ann.

The Deevey family enjoyed spending their time on their farm in Iron Bridge, fishing, snow shoeing, ski-dooing, and just having a great time enjoying life and being with family.

In June of 1989, Mary's daughter gave birth to a baby girl, Samantha, and again in June of 1993 to a baby boy, Joshua. Mary's grandchildren knew her as Nana.

Mary was a huge part of the lives of her daughter and grandchildren. There are many fond memories spending time at her house, watching TV, baking, making jam, or out at community events like teas or Bingo. She even taught her grandchildren some gambling techniques at a young age, much to their mother's dismay! Christmas time was always fun, setting up the tree and decorations while listening to Christmas music.

      Mary enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Mary worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. Her primary occupation was working in dietary services at the Sault Area Hospital. She was employed for close to 40 years. Later in life she worked as a bartender at the Moose Lodge. Mary always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Mary enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favourite pursuits were going to the casino, playing cards, bingo and spending time with friends, family, and her dog. She was content to enjoy her favourite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Throughout her later years, Mary was an active member of the Moose Lodge and enjoyed spending her free time there surrounded by friends.

      Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Mary was given accolades for her many and varied accomplishments throughout her life. She was constantly being awarded from the Sault Area Hospital for going long periods of time without missing a day of work.

      Mary was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Lindsay, Duke, Duchess, Boomer, Sambo, and Kola were some of her beloved dogs she enjoyed spending her days with.

      Mary passed away on October 13, 2014 at Sault Area Hospital surrounded by her family. Mary was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetary in Sault Ste. Marie with the remains of her stillborn baby Laurie Ann.

      Simply stated, Mary was a gentle and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. She was accepting of everyone and did not make judgements. Mary leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Mary Deevey.

Mary Isobell Deevey

Funeral Meditation

October 17, 2014

On the marker over her grave, Mary will have two dates. One will be 1945 – the year she entered into this life. The other will be 2014 – the year she entered into eternal life. Between those two numbers will be a small line known as a dash. That dash represents the love and laughter, the hard work and wisdom, the passions and the persuasions of Mary. That dash represents the way her life touched you. For each person here, that dash is different. In this time of thanksgiving, remember Mary’s dash through your life.

Born here in the Sault, Mary began her dash through life by moving to Mile 92, otherwise known as Montreal River, and beginning her life and education in a one room school with the few children near the power dam where her dad, Frank, worked. It was a great place to live with the great outdoors as your playground in beautiful Algoma. There was also enough mischief to go around and Mary found herself in the middle of it on occasion as family stories of this middle child will attest to. She would always be the Switzerland as is the role of the middle child bringing peace and harmony to the table of life.

Not yet a dozen years old, the family would move back to the Sault and take up residence at 445 Northland Road. Going to school was pretty easy for her – walk across the street to Edith Cavell Public School. Then it was on to the Tech for a while, but school didn’t hold her attention for long. Soon, the dreams of her teens turned into the realities of life and working won out over education.

Marriage brought together a yours, mine and ours dream. Regrettably and lamentably, "ours" was not to be and her second daughter was to leave the stage of life before she began. Tomorrow, Mary’s ashes will join Laurie in eternal rest – together again for the journey in the next life.

With a heavy heart, but a young family to care for, Mary poured herself into the task of caring for them, and juggling a career in Food Service at the hospitals that spanned more than four decades. She was something of a legend in the workforce, often being honoured for the fact that she would go years without missing a day’s work due to sickness. She was a very dedicated person in her corner of the health care field of the dietary department.

It was a real eye-opener for me as I learned that this wonderful woman who spent a lifetime in an institutional kitchen did not cope well in her own kitchen. She was just the sort that they made Kraft Dinner for and her cooking became something of a source of family amusement. In her defence, it is my understanding that she could bake up a storm and can jams and such with the best of them.

Perhaps it was the influence of her early years living in the north woods that allowed Mary to find great pleasure in camping and fishing and just being at camp. And family times like Christmas gatherings were great for her because you had time to spend with folks, play some cards, maybe win a little money. Didn’t matter if family had to open their wallets on occasion to her. If you can’t pay, don’t play Mary for sure. I tried to learn a bit about her favourite game of 614 but I will have to have Samantha and Joshua teach me sometime.

Mary was an equal opportunity gambler as she would take on an amazing number of bingo cards for herself, complete with the various good luck charm and all, as well as be aware of the numbers on the cards of the young people who might be with her on Community night. Or a night at the casino was something she found great pleasure in as well.

We heard from Joshua and Samantha what a proud Nana she was. Her good and kind heart was filled with an easy going spirit and a generosity of time as well as the dollars that got slipped into your hands from time to time. Time with Nana was time well spent.

While the stresses of life challenged her in many ways, marriage dreams becoming shattered, now it was the challenge of taking on the world as a single woman. She rose to the occasion and while the road of life has not been easy, she has navigated it well.

With the loving support of her family, her dash through life continued. She found great enjoyment in her part-time job at the Moose Lodge and all the friends she made there. Just four years ago, she won the Legion District Cribbage championship. She was a game competitor – regardless of what the game was.

More recent years have not been kind to Mary. Health issues circumscribed her life, certainly the legacy of being a lifelong smoker. But to make a short story long, as Mary was want to do, it never got her down though it did discourage her from time to time. She would just turn to her friends and see that her life wasn’t all that bad. Her friends being Dr. Phil, Judge Judy and Geraldo who certainly had some interesting life situations far more challenging than her own.

Mary’s needs were simple. Your happiness and a little furry head to pet, some cards to play and a few nickels to gamble with. Who needed anything more. And as recent as last weekend, she played a few hands. Sunday night, she won a few dollars at the Casino. And then her dash through life came to an end.

I read many years ago these words that an unknown writer had penned. They seemed to me to sum up what Mary might say to us if she were present in body as well as spirit.

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: ‘WOW What a Ride!’”

And didn’t she have quite a ride! For the gift of her to us for a time and a season, and now welcomed home in the eternal kingdom, we give thanks to God. Amen.

DEEVEY, Mary (Reynolds) – With sadness we announce the sudden passing of Mary at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the age of 69. Daughter of the late Frank and Dollie Reynolds. Cherished mother of Chris Dunn (Marty), and the late infant daughter Laurie Ann. Sadly missed by her precious grandchildren Samantha (Matt), and Josh (Brianna) and their dad Danny Dunn. Mary was the sister of Ann Gabel, Carol Jannison (late Ross), Rob Reynolds (Nancy) and Lynda Reynolds. Mary will be fondly remembered by Phillip, her step sons Dwayne, Mark, Darren and the rest of the Deevey family. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was a member of the Moose Lodge. Thank you to the staff in the ICU for their care and compassion. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 12:30-2:30 pm. Funeral service to be held in the Chapel at 3:00 pm. Rev. Phil Miller officiating. Memorial contributions to the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society would be appreciated by the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.

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DEEVEY, Mary (Reynolds) – With sadness we announce the sudden passing of Mary at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the age of 69. Daughter of the late Frank and Dollie Reynolds. Cherished mother of Chris Dunn (Marty), and the late infant daughter Laurie Ann. Sadly missed by her precious grandchildren Samantha (Matt), and Josh (Brianna) and their dad Danny Dunn. Mary was the sister of Ann Gabel, Carol Jannison (late Ross), Rob Reynolds (Nancy) and Lynda Reynolds. Mary will be fondly remembered by Phillip, her step sons Dwayne, Mark, Darren and the rest of the Deevey family. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends. Mary was a member of the Moose Lodge. Thank you to the staff in the ICU for their care and compassion. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 12:30-2:30 pm. Funeral service to be held in the Chapel at 3:00 pm. Rev. Phil Miller officiating. Memorial contributions to the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society would be appreciated by the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.