Mary Marg, as most people knew her, was a loving wife, caring mother, grandmother, sister, favourite aunt and friend. She left the world early, on the morning of January 9th, 2024, to start her next adventure.

She was born to William and Estelle Essery on April 26th, 1936, in Exeter Ontario, joining her siblings Beatrice, Donald and Helen on the family farm. After graduating from the Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in London Ontario in 1957, she married Reverend K. Barry Passmore on February 28th, 1958, which was coincidentally Barry’s birthday. The two of them were great travelers and visited Europe, California, Florida, Cuba and the Dominican.

Together they raised three children: Mark, Vaughn and Pam, and the family spent summers exploring Georgian Bay in their sailboat. Mary Marg loved her three grandchildren Brydon, Sarah and Emily, and played an active role in their lives.

Mary Marg’s nursing career encompassed posts in Fort St. John BC, Victoria Hospital in London, Children’s Hospital in Halifax, Wingham Hospital, and finally, Lee Manor in Owen Sound. She enjoyed training Candy Stripers while in Wingham. Her kindness and care for her patients–and her role as an active Minister’s wife–had a lasting impact on many lives over the years. In her spare time, she played a portable pump organ for church services in Ft. St. John, and sang alto in the choirs in Wingham, London and Owen Sound.

When Barry passed suddenly, Mary Marg overcame this momentous challenge and continued to face life with a smile. After retirement, she focused on volunteering for “Day Away” at Lee Manor, playing Bridge with friends, doing small kindnesses behind the scenes, and generally helping those in need. She was a ferocious hockey booster, a winning curler, a TV-time knitter, an expert BBQer, a dedicated walker, a great gardener and could solve even the hardest weekly crossword puzzles. Mary Marg’s pleasant and generous personality was contagious and resulted in strong family ties, and some wonderful long-time friendships which she valued very much. We will all miss her.

Visitation will be held at Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 14th St. W., Owen Sound, 519-376-7492, on Friday, January 19th, from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, January 20th, from 10am to 11am. A funeral service to honour and celebrate Mary Marg’s life will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, January 20th at 11am, with Rev. Marsha Roberts officiating and a reception following the service. Inurnment to take place at Greenwood Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to a charity of your choice, or to Georgian Shores United Church would be appreciated.