Mary Elizabeth Simser

Our ‘favourite Aunt', Mary Elizabeth Simser, passed away peacefully with family at her side on August 22, 2021. Mary was 97 years old, and spent most of her last two years in Palliative Care at St. Joseph's Hospital. There, with her sense of humour, and a wry quip, she became a favourite of the various health care and support-work providers who cared for her.

A very remarkable woman, Mary always made her own choices. In her early 20's she left home in Toronto to be near the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. She lived there for two decades, and then returned home to be a companion and caregiver for her mother for almost another two decades.

During her life Mary travelled to the opera houses of Europe -- and took her mother on more than one occasion. She also volunteered with the Toronto Opera Company for many years, and with TV Ontario.

Single all her life, Mary leaves behind three generations of nieces and nephews who are the offspring of her 5 younger siblings – including Mary Lang-Atkinson and Peter Lang who brought her to Thunder Bay three years ago, and who continued to be her chief family caregivers. On behalf of Aunt Mary, we would like to thank our spouses, Rick Atkinson and Kerrie Atkinson, and family members Orion, Laura, Tanner and Zoe Atkinson for their support, as well as numbers of other friends. In particular, again we would again like to thank the staff at St Joe's, June Hodgins and Suzanne Sabaz from the 55Plus Friendly Visiting program, Linda Paquin, the teams of visitors from Hospice Northwest, as well as family friend, Sandi Brown.

Contributions in Mary Simser's name could be sent to TV Ontario. A Life Celebration will be announced.

Condolences may be sent to nwfainc@tbaytel.net