MARY ELIZABETH HUTTON

MARY ELIZABETH (BRAY) HUTTON July 18, 1917 - June 28, 2014 Mary passed away peacefully on June 28, 2014, just before her 97th birthday, with her son at her bedside. Lieutenant, Nursing Sister Mary Elizabeth Bray was a Veteran of the Second World War. A graduate of the Montreal General Hospital, she entered the Canadian Army at a young age. One of few women who accepted her post on the front lines of the battlefields, Mary acted with professionalism and spirit, in horrific and inhumane conditions, on the Casualty Clearing Stations. She extended her care and love to all the young soldiers, many fatally wounded, friend and foe alike. Mary was cited years later by a surviving soldier of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders as one of the outstanding Canadian Nursing Sisters serving in WWII, whose compassion "knew no bounds". Mary continued to tell her story at many D-Day ceremonies and to young school children. In the book "Fragments of War", she was honoured for her role in Normandy and she was one of 2 women who received the "Unknown Soldier" in Vimy, France and then marched in the funeral procession in Ottawa. Following the war, Mary met Doug Hutton, who swept her off her feet at Toronto's Balmy Beach Club. They married and raised three children, Virginia, Robert and Kathryn. While the love and guidance shared to their children, grandchildren and many extended family has been a gift to us all, to these 3 children Ginny Hutton, Bob (Karen) Hutton and Kit (Doug) Boy and 6 grandchildren Kerry, Donald, Nattie, Michael, Warren and Robyn, they leave so many fond memories. Mary was a compassionate neighbour, friend, wife, mother and grandmother. Her encouragement and laughter lifted others' spirits. Even through her own challenges, Mary remained gracious and grateful for any help extended to her. Her family wishes to acknowledge the many loving caregivers at the Donway Retirement Residence, Seniors for Seniors and Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital who made Mary's last years comfortable and fun. For those who wish to honour Mary's life, please do not send flowers, but rather donate in memoriam of Mary Hutton to the Canadian Wildlife Federation (www.cwf-fcf.org). Send an email to: trudyf@cwf-fcf.org or call Trudy at 1-877-599-5777. Letters of condolence may be made C/O Kathryn Boy, 73 Kells Crescent, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada L9Y 0B4.