Marie passed away peacefully at her home in Meaford on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 95.

Born on June 28th, 1929 in Tyne Dock, South Shields, North Eastern England. Marie grew up during the Great Depression and WW2. Her parents separated when she was 3, which resulted in her being sent to grandparents to be raised. The family was poor, so school ended for her at 13, a year before the legal age of 14; rules got bent during the war. Her first job was at a corner grocery store. When she was 15, she decided to move to the city of London and became a domestic; a family tradition. After several placements, along with her friend Lorraine she had met on the way, they decided to move up in the world and become waitresses; an improvement in status and pay.

In the late 1940’s the world was on the move, young people going to far away places to start new lives, so Marie and Lorraine joined them and emigrated to Canada in 1950. After several waitressing jobs, the hospital environment was where Marie found her niche; she worked her way up from kitchen maid to Registered Nurse.

She loved living in Meaford, and leaves with few regrets and much to celebrate.

She had a truly wonderful marriage with a one-of-a-kind man; Gordon McKay who predeceased her in 1999. She will be missed by her son Stephen McKay (Parvine Sadeghi) and her daughter Catharine McKay (Leo McClymont). She was the proud grandmother of Shireen McKay, who she absolutely adored. Marie treasured her friendships, and had a career that was incredibly rewarding.

A funeral service celebrating Marie’s life will be conducted at the Meaford United Church on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11 o’clock. A reception will follow in the galleries at the Meaford Hall, where family and friends can gather to share refreshments and memories of Marie.

As your expression of sympathy, donations to Meaford Friends of the Library would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted.