Mary Lauraine Belch

(May 22, 1934 – November 27, 2025) Mary’s spirit is now with family and friends that passed before her (husband Dr. Willoughby (Bill) Belch and sons Timothy and Willoughby James). Survived by her daughters Heather Laferriere (Dan), Catherine Caza (Jules), and Natalie Belch (Paul Comeau) and grandchildren Benjamin Laferriere, Amelia Caza (Brandon Guest), Jonathon Laferriere, Abigayle Caza, and Aidan Caza.

Mary was born in Otterville, Ontario into a family of 6 siblings (survived by sister Irene Barr (Jerry) and pre-deceased by Harold, John, Betty Gallagher and David (Cathy). Her parents pursued tobacco farming in both Ontario and Danville, Virginia. Her upbringing was shaped by hard work, farming and a desire to advance her education. She attained her nursing degree from Washington Missionary College, Washington DC in 1955. As the Surgical Charge Nurse, she met her soon-to-be husband at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Michigan a year later. Mary and Bill married on June 28, 1959 in Washington DC. They purchased their first home in Peterborough, Ontario where she and Bill set up his medical practice and operated it for nearly 40 years with long-time dear family friend Marlene Hutchinson as Medical Secretary. Mary and Bill’s marriage survived 63 years of medicine, farming, tragedy, and most of all LOVE. Mary was a strong, resilient woman: nurse, mother, farmer (Peterborough Buffalo Farms), businesswoman (Peterborough Farmer’s Market), gardener, compassionate neighbour, and community volunteer (Civic Hospital and school breakfast program). As a busy mother of five children, she enjoyed working in her flower beds and vegetable garden. When she wasn’t in the gardens, she was either driving across Ontario in search of antiques or travelling the world with her husband. In her downtime, you would always find a book in Mary’s hands.

She was a generous and gracious hostess for many; family, friends, and the farming community (eg. International Bison Farmers, as well as the National & Ontario Bison Associations). Mary was well-read and able to communicate with people from all walks of life. She loved to laugh and had a great sense of humour, even in her final days. Mary passed away peacefully at home with family by her side.

A special thanks to our family and the dedicated healthcare team who provided palliative care to Mary and Bill, honouring their wishes of respect, comfort and dignity as they lived out their final years on the family farm.

Following cremation, a service and reception will be held at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge St, Peterborough, ON, in the New Year on January 17th @ 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society or Heart & Stroke Canada on behalf of the Belch Family.