Name: Visitation for Mary Jane WOODS
Start: 2021-09-06T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-09-07T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Henry Walser Funeral Home

MARY JANE WOODS December 25, 1956 - September 1, 2021 Mary Jane passed away at St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener at the age of 64. She was the beloved wife of Robert Sloan since 1985 and mother of William Sloan. She will be deeply missed by her many friends. Mary Jane grew up in the Weston neighbourhood of Toronto; the third of five children born to Frances and William Woods. She attended St. John the Evangelist in Weston, and Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School in Toronto. Mary Jane graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in June 1979 and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in August 1982. She was called to the Ontario Bar in April 1984 and began her law career at Bastedo, Cooper & Shostack before practicing estate law at her own practice in Weston. She was active in many charitable and community initiatives in Toronto, especially the Weston Lions Club. Since 2007, Mary Jane has resided in Kitchener, where she was a passionate follower of literature and the arts. She enjoyed researching her family tree. She will be remembered with love for the strength, intelligence, and boundless curiosity she displayed in all spheres of her life. Mary Jane's family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 6, 2021 and 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Guests are required to RSVP to attend the visitations and service through the funeral home website or by calling. Those who are unable to attend the service are invited to join the family via live-stream at 11:00 a.m. with a video tribute beginning at 10:45 a.m. at www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming. Interment to be held at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, 305 Erskine Ave., Toronto on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Visit www.henrywalser.com for Mary Jane's memorial.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Sep. 4 to Sep. 8, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary WOODS

5 Entries

Mark

September 11, 2021

Deepest condolences to the family from the Armstrong family of Weston

Cynthia Roberts

September 7, 2021

I met MJ many years ago when her late brother Ted and I visited her home in Kitchener. It was a delightful visit and I saw the family connection immediately. Over the years I was able to reach out to MJ when I needed to and she was very helpful and supportive of my deeply set friendship with her brother. Ted spoke often about MJ's struggles with her Pulmonary Hypertension and how proud he was of her not letting it defeat her and her passion for living. My deepest condolences Rob and Will for the loss of your wife and mother. Thinking of you Tom, Maggie and Louise as well.

Rev. Frank B. Gabourel

September 4, 2021

I was privileged to get to know Mary as she began her legal practice. It was to probate a will which had to be done in many jurisdictions. She was a deligent and able to splaying and clarify issues. Alosi independent,, as illustrated by her refusal to allow me to help with a large legal bundle,while making her way across the street. A devoted member of her faith. RIP

Tom Woods

September 4, 2021

As siblings we didn't have MJ as long as Rob and Will did, but long enough to know for sure that she was special. She always got the highest marks, and she never bragged. Never the loudest at the dinner table (seven of us in a small room; and we called it supper), but her opinions were always the most sensible. As the eldest, my job was to walk her to school - that is until she soon convinced our mother she really didn't need my help. One thing she was not, was an athlete. I tried to get her into track, but on one of our first training runs around the neighbourhood streets she slipped and collided with a wooden telephone pole. Fortunately I was able to distract her from her wailing, and avoid later recriminations from Mother (not a track fan), by pointing out how she had cracked the pole (with her head). She was about 10 at the time, so I doubt she believed me, but she told that story for several years. One thing she definitely was, was a fighter. I would not have wanted to be on the other side of a legal case with her. I can't speak to the way she fought her health challenges, as can Rob and Will, but I think I know. Through the years I would occasionally ask her for advice or perspective on situations I was dealing with. Her responses were always well grounded in reason and logic, but framed in a way that made it clear that she was not telling me what to do, just how I might look at things. She was special, and we will miss her.
Tom Woods (brother)

Louise, Mark, and Sam Johnson

Sent Flowers

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Memorial Events
for Mary WOODS

Sep

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Henry Walser Funeral Home

507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON N2B 2A5

Sep

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Henry Walser Funeral Home

507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON N2B 2A5

Sep

Funeral Mass

11:00 a.m.

St. Aloysius Catholic Church

Sep

Interment

11:00 a.m.

Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery

305 Erskine Ave, Toronto, ON

Funeral services provided by:

Henry Walser Funeral Home

507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON N2B 2A5

Mary Jane WOODS

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