Mary Alwyn Simpson

We are so very sad to announce that Mary crossed over on Tuesday, February 8th after a few days of struggle in hospital in Toronto. She had endured many health challenges for a number of years, but more recently it became too much, and she finally succumbed, passing away quietly with her beloved brother Doug there, at her bedside, with her favourite New Orleans jazz music playing softly in her ear to send her spirit on its way.

Mary was a talented singer and musician who grew up in Ottawa and started singing in high school productions and church choirs, and became a very well known part of the Ottawa music circle. After moving to Toronto in her early 20s, she quickly became a very big part of the Toronto music scene as well, and most notably the New Orleans Jazz scene which became like an extended family to her, and which took her regularly to her favourite haunts, Grossman's Tavern, The Rex, Hugh's Room, and of course, her beloved watering hole, the Imperial, to name but a few. If there was jazz playing somewhere, she found a way to get there, and loved seeing all her friends, and was quite often invited to sit in as a vocalist – how she loved that! As a family, when we were young, we spent time every summer at a magical place on Lake Couchiching called Geneva Park YMCA, where she made some life-long friends, many of whom have stayed in touch with her over the years. She also had a special circle of friends with whom she played "Lexulous" online who immediately noticed her absence these past days when she suddenly didn't show up to play and get the highest score (wink).

Her love of New Orleans took her there every chance she got, she even lived there briefly. Her love of New Orleans and its wonderful music went so far as to organize a jazz concert back here in Toronto every year called the " New Orleans STOMP" at the Lula Lounge. She arranged for her dear friend Gregory Stafford to fly up to play trumpet, and enlisted many of her local musician friends to play too. It was always an event not to be missed, Mary loved organizing it, and loved being able to share her own love of jazz with everyone else. She also found the time to sing in choral groups in Toronto, and shared her time and love of jazz music with young kids, and was involved with children's choirs. Her joy in music and singing was so rich and boundless, and ageless, that she simply couldn't hold it in, it was such a big part of her, and who she was. She will be so missed by so many.

As a family we've been very touched by the immediate outpouring of love and memories of Mary from so many that knew her and loved her. It's been so very uplifting and appreciated.

We are still deciding how best to memorialize her passing, and we'll be posting details at a later date -- we've been getting great suggestions and offers of help from close friends, so please do check back here periodically for updates. Whatever it ends up being, you just know it'll be a kick because it'll have Mary's name and her spirit all over it.

In the meantime, thanks for your ongoing love and support.