Mary W. Davie

She was the loving wife of Robert Harding Davie and mother of the late Kevin R. Davie. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Karin E. Davie of Seattle, Washington; her brother, Daryl Hepple of New Zealand; and many extended family members across the country.

Mary W. Davie began her adult life in Toronto as a wife and mother's aide, later finding great joy in motherhood herself. She volunteered at the historic MacKenzie House, originally located in Willowdale, where she dressed in period clothing, gave tours, and demonstrated spinning techniques. Mary also volunteered as a librarian for the Toronto Board of Education, while pursuing a college degree in Library Science. After graduating, she was employed by The North York Public Library. Over the years, she and her late husband of 56 years, took many advanced university courses in the arts and humanities.

In mid-career, she joined the prestigious investment banking firm Morgan Stanley at its Toronto headquarters. She worked with great pride as the firm's chief librarian and researcher for a decade. She possessed an exceptional ability to research, compile and catalog vital and pertinent information, coupled with an uncanny sense of timing.

Throughout her life, Mary was a passionate supporter of the arts and culture. She was an active member of the Spinners & Weavers Association and a donor and member of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Canadian Library Association. In her youth, she enjoyed singing and playing the piano and especially loved classical music and Dixieland jazz.

Mary was a founding member of the Meaford Town Hall Players Theatre Group and often attended live theatre or concerts with family and friends. Many of her favorite authors, musicians, and visual artists were Canadian. It was not unusual to find her voraciously reading several newspapers and magazine articles, including The New Yorker each day. She also enjoyed going to the Computer Club in Victoria, reading Louise Penny, listening to the radio, collecting, tending to her plants, swimming in Georgian Bay with her family, and feeding the hummingbirds.

Mary travelled extensively with her family, often hiking the Bruce Trail and visiting museums and historic sites around the world. She and her husband joined the Canadian Youth Hostel Association in their early years, and, in later years, became members of the Newcomers Society after retiring to Victoria, British Columbia. Along the way, they made many dear friends, many of whom remained lifelong companions.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ted Rosenberg and his team for their many years of compassionate care, as well as the staff of Berwick House and the Brio medical team. Although Mary was in full-time care for only five months, their skilled, compassionate care and, warm home-like environment provided great comfort to both Mary and her family.

A special thank you is also extended to the Acute Palliative Care Unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital for its exceptional care.

No funeral service will be held.

Donations in Mary's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Arthritis Foundation.