McCALLUM, Mary Frances (nee Griffith)

Died peacefully on August 2, 2018 at Fairhaven Long Term Care Home, Peterborough. Loved wife of the late Doug McCallum (2009) for 60 years. Born June 22, 1922 Toronto, Ontario. Predeceased by her parents William and Jean Griffith and her brother Bill. Proud mother of four children: Claire McGrath (John), John McCallum (Kathy), Beth Cox (deceased 2012) and Tricia Weatherston (Martin). Mary was equally proud of her 12 grandchildren and took a great interest in their achievements: Karen Fortin (Neil), Heather McGrath, James McGrath (Laura); Jessica Schroter (Andrew), Ruth McCallum (Blake), David McCallum; Paul Cox (Sandra), Megan Misawa (Arata), Tim Cox (Michelle); and Thomas Weatherston, Emily Weatherston, and Robert Weatherston. In recent years she also enjoyed the company of nine greatgrandchildren: Isaac and Mitchell Fortin; Hayden, Keira, and Ashton McGrath; Havana, Grace and Robinson Cox-Couet; and Mibuki Misawa. Mary also maintained a close relationship with her son-in-law, Steve Cox (Ruth). Mary graduated as an RN from TGH in 1944. Before her marriage she worked with the VON in community nursing. Mary first met Doug when they were attendants at a wedding. Later Mary and a friend “accidentally” connected with Doug and his friend during a bicycle trip to the Gaspe. They saw this trip as the first of many travelling adventures. Mary and Doug settled in Hamilton, Ontario after their marriage on June 4, 1949. Over the years, they visited many countries, often exploring different cultures or adding to Doug’s birding life list. Their travels also included Canadian destinations and wilderness canoe trips in northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories. Mary was an active volunteer in the Hamilton community: Big Sisters, library delivery to shut ins and a member of her Olivet UCW. Her final adventure was a move to Peterborough at the age of 93. She was an avid and prolific reader and until recently was reading the Globe & Mail cover to cover: clipping and saving significant articles for others to also read. Reader, knitter, curler, cottager, bridge player: she was an inspiration to her family and will be greatly missed by them and others.

A memorial will be held at MARLATT FUNERAL HOME, 195 King St. West in Dundas on Saturday, August 25th at 1:30 p.m. Donations may be sent to the Hamilton Foundation, specifying that it is for the McCallum McBride Fund.