Mary M MacAdam Howie

1935 - 2021

Last Mother's Day gift.

Mother's Day 2021, I have been tasked with writing my mother's obituary. Mom left us on the 6th of May in her 85th year. Mom left the world listening to the nurse tell her how the Leafs beat the Canadians 5-2. Mae has left behind an impressive amount of people; 8 children (and spouses), 12 grandchildren (and spouses), and 10 great-grandchildren. We will miss her beyond measure. Mae (Mary) was the eldest of 10 kids born to James and Peggy (Margaret) MacAdam in East Bay, Nova Scotia October 29, 1935.

Mae married Hank (Henry) Howie of Sydney River in 1953, after many months of him following her around town conveniently showing up uninvited to community events she was at. True story! Dad left Mom in Cape Breton to take a job in Toronto, she followed in November 1954 with her firstborn son.

Mom was the head of our family to say she was the driving force would be an understatement. Along with raising 8 children she began working with Dad in 1969 when he started his trucking company. Mom was also the matriarch of the MacAdam clan. Our house was the jumping off point for those coming to Toronto from the East Coast to find work. Many mornings waking up with an Uncle/ Aunt/ cousin or a friend sitting at the dining room table with a cup of coffee after driving all night from Cape Breton planning a future.

Mom learnt to drive in her 40s. Mom decided to get her driving license the same time as her youngest son when he was 16 (she was 51). When asked what made her go and get it she said "I'm tired of waiting on your dad!". We kids called it "Henry time", dad was late for everything.

Mom was a sports fanatic, all the usual suspects. A lifelong Leafs fan, Blue Jays, and Argos, but you would not be surprised to find her watching darts, bowling, wrestling, cricket, boxing, etc. Watching the Leafs on TV with her was a sport in and of itself; often admonishing the referees for not paying attention, questioning how players missed the puck/shot/goal, noting how the Leafs could only skate backward into their own end, and reminding us the correlation of how much money a player made did not equal to how well they played.

Mom was a devout Catholic but was practical. Mom never imposed her beliefs on anyone, she prayed we would find grace in God however she prayed enough to ensure we would all get to Heaven. Mom wasn't a huggy type but she was always there no matter what, she didn't have to agree with you to give you everything she had. When Dad died (January 2011) she found peace in prayer, comfort with her friends and community from St. John Vianney Parish. She was an active member of the C.W.L with both St. Mary and St. John Vianney for many years until her health prevented her.

Mae is predeceased by her husband of 58 years Henry. Her granddaughters Arianna Metz-Howie, Amanda McCreight - Herron, and her brother William MacAdam, and sister Barbara Poirier.

I would joke with mom about dad causing mischief in purgatory waiting for her. God knows, Mae is his only way in! So, Mom take Dad by the arm walk him through the gates of heaven he has been waiting for you.

The family awaits the end of Covid to lay both Mom and Dad to rest in Ontario. We will have a celebration of life in both Ontario and Cape Breton when such time permit; until then - when you have time, raise a glass, say a little prayer, and just be a little nicer today. Mom was a gift to us all and we give her back with love.