Mary Waller CUTHBERT

CUTHBERT, Mary Waller
1937 – 2014
Mary grew up happily on Old Orchard Avenue in NDG, graduating from nearby Herbert Symonds Elementary and then West Hill High School. As a majorette for the Alouettes, she helped the team get charged up to play every week. With all due respect to Sam Etcheverry, we're pretty sure she was the reason they made it to three straight Grey Cups in the 1950s. Mary also distinguished herself in the workplace, quickly rising from the steno pool to become an ace administrative assistant for top executives at DuPont Canada and other companies. But Mary was most famous for making the world a better place–one small act of kindness at a time. As Pat, Mary H., Steve, Pearl, Gail, Lily, Barb, Audrey, Hanna and many others would attest, her friendship was true and steady. From offering a lift to the airport to remembering birthdays to lending a compassionate ear, Mary was always there to help make getting through the day a little easier. She was also deeply devoted to her family–a dedicated daughter to parents Ralph and Florence; a loving sister to Ralph, Joan and Bob; a quirky aunt to Brian, Nancy, Robin and John; a proud mother-in-law to Yvonne; and "THE BEST MOM EVER!" to Glen. And whether it was getting dressed up as clowns or marching in an impromptu parade, Grandma loved nothing better than getting into some hijinks with her cherished grandson, Wil. He was, quite simply, her pride and joy. Mary died peacefully at the Jewish General Hospital, but here's hoping that wherever she is now, there's a bookshelf filled with Agatha Christie mysteries, Coronation Street on the TV and a front row seat to watch Roger Federer play in the US Open. Instead of a traditional funeral service, Mary wanted people to remember her fondly in their own way. So tonight, maybe raise your glass in her honour or, better yet, have a good chuckle at a something funny she did or said. (In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.) As many of you reading this would know, Mary liked adding inspirational quotes to greeting cards. In that spirit, here's a little something from Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened!"