Mary Waldvogel

December 21, 1928 - January 26, 2019

Funeral Details: Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 2-3 p.m. Parkview Community Centre More details at the bottom of obituary

Loving mother and dear friend, Mary Waldvogel, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2019 in Barrie, Ontario, surrounded by family and supported by a nursing team at the Barrie Manor Enhanced Care Community.

Mary was born December 21, 1928 in Montreal to parents Catherine and F. M. Van Wagner. Summers spent with siblings Charles, Peter and twin sister Rachel at Camp Nominingue (founded by their father), instilled a love of nature, outdoor living and a lifelong passion for walking barefoot on the earth. Winters brought weekend train trips with family and friends to cross-country ski in the Laurentians. Mary studied Physiotherapy at McGill, graduating in 1950, where she was President of the Physiotherapy Society, member of the Outing Club and was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor's Silver Medal for graduating first in her class.

Mary married her devoted husband Hans in 1956 and raised a family in St. Bruno, Quebec before moving to Oakville, Ontario. In 1987, Mary and Hans retired to Sugarbush, near Barrie, Ontario where they enjoyed a new community, gardening and the peace of the Huronia woods. A few years after Hans’ passing, Mary made her home in Barrie overlooking Lake Simcoe.

Mary was ahead of her time, becoming vegan in the 1970s, and teaching those she knew how important nutrition is to maintaining health. Mary touched many people with her loyal friendship and the sharing of delicious soup. Over the years, she only grew in her delight in life and love of laughter.

In her lifelong search for meaning, Mary was an active congregant at Unity Church in Montreal and United Church of Canada in St. Bruno, ultimately practicing meditation, seeking inner peace and helping others do the same as a loving and devoted volunteer with the Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission / Sant Mat spiritual path.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Hans and dear sister Rachel Hendershott. Mary is survived by her children Peter (Irene), Mark (Terry), Anna (Niall), grandchildren (Christine, David, Eric and Claire) and her brothers. Mary will be deeply missed by many.

Mary’s family offer special thanks to her friends (“Team Mary”) supporting her in her last weeks: Diana, Diane, Kandace, Laura R., Marybeth, Sophie and Teresa. Thanks also to Senior Helpers management; staff at the Specialized Seniors Care and Transitional Units at Royal Victoria Hospital; the caring nursing and PSW staff at Barrie Manor; the Palliative Network (NSMHPCN) including volunteer Laura J.; and Mary’s palliative doctor, Dr. J. Lai.

Donations to Kids Help Phone Canada in Mary’s name are welcome. Her children would like friends and family to consider offering gifts of time to the elderly in her memory.

A celebration of Mary's life is scheduled for Saturday April 27, Parkview Community Centre, 189 Blake St, Barrie, ON. Ceremony 2-3pm, with an informal reception and light refreshments to follow. All welcome. Mary's family requests guests wear something colourful to honour Mary's love of colour.

CONDOLENCES

16 Condolences
  • Angela Ball
    Posted on: Monday, February 4, 2019 Reply

    My wishes are that your family finds peace with your mother/grandmothers passing. Mary was a dear woman

  • Sidharth and Sudha Sethi
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Reply

    We send our deep condolences to you all.

    We pray that you find peace and comfort with loving memories.

  • Dipla
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Reply

    Our heartfelt condolence. May her soul rest in peace.

  • Manish & Jyoti Chandna
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Reply

    Our deepest condolences to family and friends of Mary Waldvogel. We pray for her departed soul to rest in peace at the divine feet of Masters.

  • Devinder and Neeta Punjwaria
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Reply

    Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. All will surely miss the presence of a truly lovable and kind person.

  • shalini sharma
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Reply

    Please accept our heart felt condolences. May her soul rest in peace?

  • Jennifer & Sasha Telfer
    Posted on: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Reply

    Extending comfort and peace to all Mary’s family and friends.
    Rest assured that the loving kindness and joy that Mary extended to others, was a true reflection of a joyous soul. My daughter and I are so blessed to have known her, witness her positivity and feel her glow.

  • Lorraine Legge
    Posted on: Friday, February 8, 2019 Reply

    Mary. You were an amazing woman. You were much loved by all and will be missed.

  • Balraj & Surindar.K. Parhar
    Posted on: Saturday, February 9, 2019 Reply

    We are sorry to hear about the passing away of Mary. May the all mighty God keep her soul in peace and give the strength and peace to the family.

  • Jessie Brandon
    Posted on: Friday, March 29, 2019 Reply

    Mary was a dear friend and support at a time in my life when I felt I had none. Her kindness to my daughter and I will always be remembered with love. My condolences to you all.

  • Ingrid Becker
    Posted on: Friday, March 29, 2019 Reply

    My heart felt condolences to the family. She was an amazing woman.

  • Ann Budge
    Posted on: Sunday, March 31, 2019 Reply

    I missed Mary when she moved from Sugarbush as she live just down the street (hill!!). So sorry I can’t come on the 27th as I have entered a fund raising athletic event for the OSMH that day. I would have worn something pink!! as I remember when she changed the colour scheme in their house to incorporate a lot of pink following Hans’ death. She loved pink!.
    I have thought of her often.
    Ann

  • Diana Boyes
    Posted on: Monday, April 22, 2019 Reply

    your mom is missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

  • Kathleen and Roger Coutts Umstead
    Posted on: Thursday, April 25, 2019 Reply

    Mary was a dear friend and advocate of clear, heartfelt communication. We enjoyed participating in study groups together, where she opened her home with warm hospitality and enthusiasm. Moving away from Barrie, we stayed with Mary occasionally enjoying her nutritious meals and love of Thai food.
    Interestingly, we met her at a Nonviolent Communication workshop at Roches Point and will be participating in another one in Toronto at the same time as Mary’s celebration of life event April 27th.
    We can visualize Mary peacefully accepting her end of life, encouraging others to be happy for her.
    We offer our deep condolences to Mary’s children and family.
    Namaste.

  • Deb Brown
    Posted on: Friday, April 26, 2019 Reply

    I love Mary. She was a true and dear friend for 20 years, and we shared so much joy and peace, good conversations, heart to heart communication, and alot of giggling and smiling. We talked about deep things, and light things and shared so very much. I cannot possibly put how much she means to me down in a paragraph, for my love for her is never-ending. I am honoured to have walked with her on my journey, she was an example of Love in Action. I will always love Mary. For her light touched mine, and I treasure this, and carry this love we shared. I honour this dear soul, this beautiful woman, my friend Mary.

  • Bill and Dana Lynn Hanley
    Posted on: Friday, April 26, 2019 Reply

    An amazing person who showed love to everyone she knew and was a stellar example of “how to do life”. Mary, you will be missed by all who had the gift of knowing you.

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