Mary Jane Sumners

Beloved wife of Ronald Sumners Sr. Loving mother of Barbara Nagai (Greg Shea), Laura Litchfield (John), Brenda Cotton (Dan Doleski), Ronald Jr., (Sandra), and Lauchie. Grandmother to Christopher and Matthew Nagai, Sarah (Fraser) and Thomas (Addie) Litchfield, Jonathan, Emilie, and Michel (Heather) Cotton, Robin and Mila Sumners, and Alec and Moxie Sumners. Great Grandmother of Lilah Litchfield and Ella Cotton.

Friends and family from Cape Breton knew her as Tiny, a kind and thoughtful woman who loved to cook for family and friends, play her guitar and sing, and travel. She enjoyed many family reunions across Canada with her siblings, Terry (Helen), Lauchie (Lida), Edna (George), Ron (Sharon), Bernie (Darlene), Joe (Claudette), Myrna (Stan), Lorraine (Tom), and Charlie (Kathleen).

Mary was born in Cape Breton and moved to Bancroft, Ontario at the age of sixteen. She later moved to the Belleville area and worked with children before moving to Toronto, where she spent close to 45 years. She made many friends along the way, raised her children with Ron and worked at Centennial College. Once retired, she enjoyed camping, performing at music festivals, spending time with family and friends.

In 2004, Mary and Ron relocated to Cape Breton. They enjoyed playing music in the Seniors Hall, hosting Robbie Burns nights, and serving on various committees.

She was proud of her Scottish heritage and her father Alexander Currie’s achievements as a bagpiper, traveling with him to Scotland (1994) to reconnect with the Scottish branch of the Currie family and to enjoy watching her father receive accolades for his bagpiping skills. Mary will be missed by her family members and many friends.

A gathering in Mary’s honour will be held at Frenchvale Seniors Hall on Friday, May 15th from 6 pm to 8 pm.

A gathering will be held at a future date in the Toronto area. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com. If desired, donations in Mary's memory may be made to Autism Alliance of Canada, autismalliance.ca.