Obituary of Mary Madeline Izma (née Malleck)

June 30, 1921, to January 6, 2024,

To view a recording of Mary's service please CLICK HERE

Passed away peacefully in the early morning of Saturday, January 6, 2024, at PeopleCare AR Goudie in Kitchener at the age of 102.

Mother of Steve (Barbara Hankins), Michael (Marian de Groot), and Judy Waurechen (Ric, d. 1995). She is survived by stepdaughter Joanne Smith and pre-deceased by stepson David Smith.

Grandmother of Cris Waurechen (Melissa), Trevor Waurechen (Ana Layne), Corey Waurechen (Tiffany Desveaux), Jonathan Izma (Rachel Mallon), Marissa Izma (Keith Mvula), Amelia Hankins, Gab Izma, and step-grandson Wilson Smith (Adrienne Wilford).

Great-grandmother of Dylan Waurechen, Lily Waurechen, Theodore Waurechen, Oliver Mvula, and Liam Mvula.

Predeceased by her first husband, Joseph Izma in 1987 and by her second husband, Wilson Ross Smith in 2014.

Mary was the eldest of the twelve children of George (d. 1955) and Madeline (née Collins d. 1964) Malleck. Of the twelve, Mary is survived by her sister Betty (Bill Law) and predeceased by: James (d. 1986; spouse Dorothy), Joanne Dillon (d. 2021; spouse Neil, d. 2001), Dick (d. 2003; spouse Mabel, d. 1984; spouse Rita, d. 2005), Colleen Hobler (d. 2013; spouse Francis, d. 2007), Ann Wilson (d. 1978; spouse James), Susan McDonnell (d. 2005; spouse John, d. 1992), David (d. 2011; spouse Leone, d. 2022), Basil (d. 2013; spouse Carol, d.), John (d. 2014; spouse Bonnie, d. 2011), and Paul (d. 1991; spouse Jackie).

She was also predeceased by her in-laws on Joe’s side: Elizabeth, Anne and Neil McCrea, Bess, Walter Brownlee, and Amelia.

Mary had over 50 nephews and nieces, and many cousins in the Malleck and Collins extended families. She lived her entire life in Kitchener-Waterloo. From around 1940 until 1949 she worked as a secretary at Kitchener Collegiate Institute.

Mary’s family expresses their appreciation of the staff at PeopleCare AR Goudie Long-Term Care Home for their wonderful support for Mary over many years.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service, officiated by Father Paul Voisin, in the chapel of the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the funeral in the Fireside Reception Room of the funeral home. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener.

Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region or to a charity of your choice and can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com.