Mary Haig

HAIG, Mary Jean (nee VanWyck) – Peacefully, in her 86th year, at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice, with Robert, her loving husband of 62 years at her side. Cherished mother of Margaret (Yves), Barbara, Pamela Bartley (William) and Judi Tullio (Carmine) and doting grandmother of Daniel, Katie, Alexander, Paige and Christine. Predeceased by brothers Donald of Toronto and Kenneth of Hamilton. She will be missed also by many nieces, nephews and friends. Born in Toronto, June 4, 1926 to Dr. and Mrs. H.B. VanWyck. Mary received her early education at Branksom Hall and Jarvis Collegiate. As a member of the first university degree course in nursing, she graduated in 1948 from the University of Toronto with a BSc.N. She taught briefly at the University School of Nursing until her marriage in December, 1949, then took time off to raise four daughters. This was a significant achievement, considering the frequent absences of her forester husband and the medical problems of daughter Barbara. Returning to her profession in 1968, she worked for ten years with the Algoma Health Unit, and ten more as the Easter Seals nurse for Algoma. The latter service earned her a Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie. Volunteer activities included serving as President of the Ontario Nurses Association, and membership in the Boards of Directors of the Victorian Order of Nurses, Camp McDougall and Sault College. A devoted member of Central United Church since her arrival in the Sault in 1966, she taught Sunday School, chaired the Outreach Committee, participated in the Study Group, and sang in the choir. A real renaissance woman, her interests and abilities ranged widely from scuba diving and wind-surfing, to bridge and landscape painting, and included tennis, swimming, golf and skiing. She enjoyed building “Breakwater”, the family cottage, entertaining there, and playing in and on the lake. In recent years, she had the satisfaction of watching her children and grandchildren playing the same games in the same Bay. Although her paintings do not rival the Group of Seven, she enjoyed creating them, and her husband hung them with pride. Mary loved to travel, and when scuba diving in the Caribbean and cross-Canada car trips were no longer possible, she enjoyed tours in Great Britain, Australia, Ireland, France, Austria, Alaska, Holland, Greece and the Galapagos. Mary had a full, rich, happy life, and the grief we feel is for our loss, not hers. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 6 – 9 pm. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Central United Church on Saturday, January 7. 2012 at 11 am. Rev. Laurie Milito officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to ARCH, Central United Church or the charity of your choice.