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Mary Blackwell
February 2, 1931 - August 27, 2012
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<div itemprop="description"> <p> After a long struggle, Mary departed our world on August 27, 2012. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, mother-in-law and grandmother. She was an inspiration, a pioneer and she believed in angels. </p> <p> Married in 1950, Mary shared 63 years with husband Roy. Together they had five children: Sharon, Arlene, David, Carole and Connie and nine grandchildren to whom she was affectionately known as Grammie. </p> <p> She mastered many talents including cooking, knitting, sewing, embroidery and generally being the life of the party. There was no end to what she could do, from tearing down walls on Penn Avenue and making head-to-toe costumes for her grandchildren to creating elaborate dinner parties for her friends and playing defensive Scrabble. She never compromised and never stopped trying. </p> <p> Whether working inside or outside of the home, she had a driving ambition. In her early 30&rsquo;s&nbsp; she took the role of secretary at Jarmain Cable TV in Newmarket. Her efficiency, hard work and dedication afforded her with the promotion to become one of the first female Vice Presidents of the company. She continued in that role for 15 plus years at what is now Rogers Cable Communications. In an era which regarded business as a Man&rsquo;s World she remained steadfast and focused, becoming her own &ldquo;Iron Lady&rdquo; of the time. She was admired and highly respected by her many colleagues, employees and peers including Ted Rogers himself. She took a genuine interest in her employees even gave knitting lessons to many of the women that soon became&nbsp; part of her work family. </p> <p> She served in her community as President of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors for Newmarket Hospital and was a keen contributor to the late Whipper Billy Watson&rsquo;s fundraising efforts with the Ontario Easter Seal Society. </p> <p> Mary had a knack for making every house a home, from Merton St to Louisbourg Way. Many will remember with fondness how the cottage in Haliburton took shape under her direction. She created her own privacy hedge by transplanting trees from the neighbourhood forest and proceeded to lay a stone walkway by hand. Mary found joy in all that she did. The doors to Mary and Roy&rsquo;s homes were always open and her generosity was immeasurable. </p> <p> She was a spiritual soul and an active member of the church. She built many lasting relationships and spiritual connections there. Mary believed in angels and she was an avid collector of them. She always wore a silver one around her neck. She continually reinforced with her children and grandchildren that angels were among us, guarding us, helping us and showing us the light. </p> <p> Thank you, Mary, for being our angel. Thank you for inspiring us, for loving us unconditionally, for never letting us down, and most of all for watching over us. There is no better definition of an angel. </p> <p> Mary is survived by her&nbsp;husband Roy, their five children: Sharon and husband Kent Malcolm, Arlene and husband Tom Hickman, David and wife Pat Wade, Carole and husband Dan Cohen and Connie and husband Richard Connolly their nine grandchildren: Callie, Mary Clara, Colin, Evan, Graham, Gregory, Jodie, Justin and Kerry and their two beloved Pomeranians&nbsp; Rocky and Benjamin. Also survived by her loving sister, Lillyann and predeceased by her two brothers Reverend George and Frank Koren. <br /> <br /> </p> <p> The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from her dearest friends and relatives. We would also like to thank her caregivers for their compassion and exceptional care: Josie, Glenda, Suzie, Karma, Melody, and Azra were always there for her and even called her &ldquo;Ma&rdquo; and of course Ellen who has become a member of the family. Thanks also to the Doctors and nurses at Markham Stouffville Hospital and to Dr. Chen and the staff of the Markham Aging at Home program. </p> <p> Respecting Mary&rsquo;s wishes, she will be cremated and a private family gathering will take place across from the Rose Garden in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society&nbsp;of Ontario&nbsp;or the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. </p> <p> <br /> </p> <p> <em> <strong> &ldquo;Oh I believe there are angels among us. <br /> Sent down to us from somewhere up above. <br /> They come to you and me in our darkest hours. <br /> To show us how to live, to teach us how to give. <br /> To guide us with the light of love.&rdquo; </strong> </em> </p> <p> <br /> <br /> <br /> &nbsp; </p> </div>