MARY MAHONEY

Mary Mahoney passed away quietly, on November 25, 2025, in Toronto, a month shy of her 98th birthday. She was born Elizabeth Mary Young in Bolton, England, on December 26, 1927. She was a proud alumna of Bolton Girls' School, and studied chemistry at the University of St. Andrews, where she met her husband, John Mahoney. Together, they immigrated to Canada and raised four children. Mary led a long, rich, and engaging life. She enjoyed camping in the Northern Ontario bush; producing little theatre; and raising her family. She was an avid reader, and later in life she collected a second university degree in library science. A Lancashire girl, Mary loved literature and could recite at cheerful length the English poetry of her childhood. She also had a great memory for music hall songs, and in later years she was apt to break into a Harry Lauder tune at any time of day or night. Mary was prudent and modest, resourceful, curious and brave. She moved to a retirement home while in her 90s, where she met her good friend Ina; together they had countless hours of joy, walking in High Park, taking tea, attending concerts, and having dinner together. Mary had a hearty appetite; she liked a good gravy with the Christmas turkey. A baker's daughter, she also enjoyed a slice of parkin; above all, she liked a nice cup of tea in the morning, and a nice cup of tea with her tea. She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Joe); daughter, Alison (Ted); son, Andrew (Deb); and son, Edward (Katherine); as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.