Obituary of Mary Maw

<h1>Mary Maw</h1> (MacVicar) Born March 30, 1921. Passed away, at Grand River Hospital’s Freeport Health Centre on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at the age of 87 years. Beloved wife and best friend of the late James Henry Maw (2006). Loving mother of Jim and his partner Wendy Tomlin, Valerie and her husband Paul Hartleib, Craig and his wife Janice (Klopp), all of Kitchener, and Pamela and her husband Edward Wojtecki of Port Dalhousie. Dear grandmother of Matthew, Emily and William Maw. Fondly remembered by her nieces. Predeceased by her parents Duncan and Isabel Ethel MacVicar, and sister Isabel Lamb, all of Belmont, Ont. Born in Belmont, Ont., Mary was an exceptional student. She attended the University of Western Ontario and Althouse, taught primary grades in London, Ont., and later taught E.S.L. at senior elementary schools in Kitchener. During her married life she lived in Orillia, St. Louis, Mo., Washington, D.C., Toronto, Kitchener and Montreal. When Jim retired in 1984, they returned to Kitchener to be with their family. She made many close friends as a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo. Mary was among the first women in Canada to be elected as elders in the Presbyterian church. She supported the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and helped develop programs for Art Alive, the gallery's adult education series. Family and friends treasure Mary's open heart, gentle strength, intellect and optimism. She brought peace and clarity to those around her, and so much love. "When she had passed, it seemed like the ceasing of exquisite music." —Henry Wordsworth Longfellow Friends are invited to share their memories of Mary with her family during memorial visitation at the Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S., Waterloo on Friday, January 9 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service to celebrate Mary’s life and faith will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. Reception will immediately follow the service in the church hall. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Knox Presbyterian Church Building Fund, and can be arranged through the funeral home.