Mary Anne Mosend Mullally

With the rising of the sun on the 28th of June, 2019 God came quietly to hold Mother’s hand and walk her home in her 101st year. Throughout her adventurous life, she demonstrated extraordinary strength, courage, graciousness and an indomitable sense of humour. An easy smile, a hearty laugh and abundant generosity were the hallmarks of how she made her way in the world. She is survived by her four children Mary Yocom (the late Paul) of Calgary, Alberta; Sheila Zakaib (the late Richard) of Mississauga, Ontario; Maureen Godfrey and her husband Wayne of Montreal, Quebec ; Isabel Kaplan of Burlington, Ontario; four grandchildren Christopher Zakaib (Leona) of Mississauga, Ontario and Kimberly Zakaib of Toronto, Ontario; Wesley Yocom and Natalie Burdziuk (Dave) of Calgary, Alberta and five great grandchildren, Jacob and Joshua Zakaib; Daxton, Evelina and Charlize Burdziuk. Her daughter, Anne Mullally of Kingston, Ontario predeceased her in 2012.

Mary Mullally touched the lives of many during her time among us. She will be remembered always by her family, friends and neighbours on Hingston Ave (NDG) who watched over her and helped her to live independently in her cherished home for over 45 years. She was born in Montreal to parents who had immigrated to Canada from Russia and Poland as teenagers before the outbreak of World War 1. She received degrees (Bachelor of Arts) from Sir George Williams University and (Master of Arts) from the Université de Montréal where her thesis was written and orally defended in both French and English. She had a profound and lasting impact on many students throughout her 30 year teaching career with the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal at both West Hill and Monklands High Schools. She served with the Canadian International Development Agency for two years in the Republic of Madagascar in Southeast Africa educating men and women in their quest to become teachers. For twenty years she was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels working with a dedicated team producing thousands of meals out of the former Church of St Columba in NDG. She made monthly monetary donations for three decades to The Old Brewery Mission and The Salvation Army; she gave yearly donations to the Montreal Gazette’s Christmas Fund and to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Her generosity, compassion, thoughtfulness and enduring sensitivity to the needs of others were widely felt and came from a loving heart. We cherish the memory of a woman who truly embraced life and living while enriching the lives of those whom she touched on her life journey.

A heartfelt thank you is warmly extended to Dr. Margaret Hughes of the Family Practice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital for her warmth, graciousness and help. We had the privilege of her professional services in our family. Dr. Hughes made many visits to my mother’s home to give care for over twelve years. We will always remember the comfort that she brought with her presence as she quietly walked through the door in all weather, in all seasons. She took command of situations with humane competence, wisdom, skill, gentleness. We were in good and soothing hands. Margaret Hughes is a fine woman. She is an exceptional doctor.

Visitation will take place at Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes at 5610 Sherbrooke St West in NDG on Thursday July 4 from 2-5 in the afternoon and 7-9 in the evening. A service to honour and remember Mary Mullally’s full life will be held on Friday, July 5th at 12:00 noon at the Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Chapel. Burial service will take place in the Mount Royal Cemetery at a later date where she will rest alongside her parents, siblings and daughter.