Obituary of Mary Jane Mewhinney

At Barnswallow Care Centre in Elmira on June 30, 2018, at the age of 76.

Mary Jane Brenner was born January 16, 1942 in Kitchener, Ontario. Predeceased by parents Oscar and Cecelia Brenner of Waterloo, Ontario, and by sister Sandra Brenner.

Survived by husband Alex Mewhinney of Waterloo, daughter Jill (Sean) Strickland of Waterloo and son Eric (Carolyn Gleeson) Mewhinney of Vancouver; sisters Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Brenner of Kitchener and Theresa Buck of Saskatchewan; grandchildren Aidan and Brenner Strickland and Parker Mewhinney.

Mary Jane graduated as a Registered Nurse, St. Mary’s Hospital in 1962. She practiced in Hanover, Brockville and Kitchener.

In 1972 Mary Jane was elected to Council in the City of Waterloo and served until 1991. From 1977 to 1988 she also served on Waterloo Region Council. During her years on council she also served on various committees including Health and Social Services and was City of Waterloo representative on various Boards including Wilfrid Laurier University and St. Mary’s Hospital.

Mary Jane became a realtor in 1981 and worked in that capacity until retirement in 2005. Mary Jane travelled extensively, cruises accompanied by sisters Sandra and Theresa, and time spent with them during their time-share. Mary Jane and Alex were able to do a river cruise in the Danube in 2012 before the onset of dementia (Alzheimer’s) restricted Mary Jane’s activities.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful staff at Barnswallow Place for the care and love they gave to Mary Jane these last four and a half years. Special mention must go to her two main caregivers, Miriam and Teresa. They made a difficult journey much more bearable.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Mary Jane with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 7-9 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Reception to follow.

Condolences for the family and donations to the Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington or to the Shore Centre may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.