Obituary of Mary Mildred Whitney

To view the livestream of the service, please CLICK HERE

Born December 3, 1935 in Zurich, Ontario.  Passed away peacefully on May 27, 2024 at the age of 88.

Survived by James, husband of 62 years; sister Kathryn (Roy Wentzell, deceased); brother-in -law Jeffrey Haywood; son Matthew (Tracy McMurter); devoted grandmother to Jessica and Anderson.

Predeceased by brother Herbert (Donna McClinchey), sister Marjory Haywood, and parents Clara and Bertram Klopp.

Growing up on a farm near the shores of Lake Huron, Mary taught in a one-room school near Zurich, ON and at Riverside School in London, ON.  Mary and Jim met in London and were married in 1962.

Mary and Jim enjoyed travelling and spent a year in Scotland and a year in England with son Matthew while Jim was on sabbatical.  Mary and Jim also put many miles on their Road Trek as they travelled across Canada and the U.S.

Mary was an accomplished artist who enjoyed painting in oils and watercolours, participating in workshops locally and across the country.  She was instrumental in helping to organize the Waterloo Community Arts Centre (Button Factory), was a member of the board for many years, chaired numerous committees and worked tirelessly to organize and promote the arts.

Mary had a gift for connecting with people and thoroughly enjoyed lively conversation, a friendly game of bridge and a good pun or word puzzle.  She was also an amazing cook, whether inspired to cook for her family of three, or thirty at the annual family Christmas dinner.  As one nephew phrased it, she produced “arguably the best lasagna on the planet.”

She was an enthusiastic supporter and champion of the endeavours of Matthew and Tracy and her beloved grandchildren.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and a few great-greats, who remember her, in the words of one great-nephew, as “pure kindness, positivity, support, cheerfulness, and a million other joyful adjectives.” She will be dearly missed by all family and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 1- 3 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the chapel of the funeral home on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Marty Molengraaf officiating.  A reception will follow the service in the funeral home’s Fireside Reception Room. An interment will be held at Greenwood Union Cemetery, 36 Cobalt St N, Milverton on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Wendy Paterson officiating.

A livestream and recording of the service will be available on Mary’s tribute page at www.erbgood.com.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to The Button Factory Arts, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Music Fund, Grand River Hospital Foundation or St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com