Mary Jessica Perlmutter

MARY JESSICA PERLMUTTER Passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Health Centre on Sunday, February 26, 2012. Mary was born December 25, 1928 in Saint Boniface, Manitoba. She taught 10 years for the Winnipeg school board and was active in singing and performing activities. In 1956, Mary arrived in Toronto with her husband Sydney who joined Ryerson as head of Radio and Television Arts. Mary taught part-time in Toronto and was awarded the Toronto Civic Service Medal for her work of ten years with the Toronto Recycling Action Committee. Mary is a life member of Hadassah and was the head of the Toronto Hadassah Choir for several years. As a lover of nature and gardening, Mary also served as President of the Canadian Organic Growers from 1988 to 1992. She was well known as an organic gardening expert on CBC radio and as a speaker to numerous gardening and environmental groups. She authored the book, "How Does Your Garden Grow...Organically?" published in 1990. Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Sydney, her children David and Leah, her daughter-in-law Tamara and her grandchildren Devon and Ariana Perlmutter. Mary will be remembered by family and friends at a private celebration on Sunday, March 4th. For details, email Sydney at sperlmutter@rogers.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or the Canadian Organic Growers.