Obituary for Mary Elizabeth Rycroft (Brown)
Mary Rycroft (Nee Brown) passed away in peace with her daughter and husband at her side, at McNally House Hospice in Grimsby. Mary was able to rise above a long battle with cancer, staying full of joy, love, and optimism until the end where, despite this strength faltering, she maintained her steadfast stoic compassion. Over the past year Mary repeatedly beat the odds, rallying under the superb care at McNally hospice. She truly made the best of every day for more than 7 months beyond original expectations. Special thanks to Doctors Duboff, Flanagan, and Marshall for your wonderful care, and our endless gratitude to the wonderful nurses, personal support staff, and all the volunteers at McNally for the care of both body and soul.
Mary graduated from the St. Michael’s Hospital Nursing School in 1969 and worked as a Registered Nurse until her retirement in 2013. She worked for 37 years at Sunnybrook & Women’s Hospital in Toronto in CCU, Diagnostic Imaging, and then Breast Cancer diagnostic research. She made true, lifelong friends over this time. Mary was instrumental in founding the Ontario Society for Diagnostic Imaging Nurses (OSDIN) to improve quality control and sterile procedures in Diagnostic Imaging. Special thanks to the doctors and staff at Sunnybrook and the Odette Cancer Centre for their dedication, compassion, and professional care last spring during Mary’s treatment.
Mary was deeply devoted to her family. Predeceased by parents Richard Cyril Joseph (Sid) Brown and Rita Helen (Murphy) Brown. Mary is survived and dearly missed by her husband of 43+ years, John Rycroft, daughter Dr. Jennifer (Kowgier) Rycroft, son-in-law Mark Kowgier, and two beautiful and special grandchildren to whom she was the world’s best grandma; Sidney, (namesake of Mary’s father) and Eleanor, (namesake of John’s mother). She also will be dearly missed by her brother Rick Brown (Annie) of Newmarket, sister/brother-in-laws Sandra & Clare Metselaar, Donald & Kathy Rycroft, and many nieces and nephews, Aunt Cathy Millions (Timmins) and the extended Brown family.
Mary was a long standing member of the Third Tuesday Book Club and loved by many friends and neighbours, especially Pat Hopper, Peggie Wall, Josie Wade, Barb Howe, Carol Sakamoto. Mary cherished every relationship as only she could. Her generosity of spirit, and matching sense of style, were always appreciated and rarely duplicated. She leaves a hole in the lives of all she met, but also a legacy of her love.
Friends are invited to a celebration of Mary’s life on Saturday March 18th in the afternoon, 3 to 6 pm. at the Stonehouse-Whitcomb Funeral Home, 11 Mountain Street, Grimsby, Ontario. (www.smithsfh.com 905-945-2755). According to Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place, with a private family interment to occur at a later date.
Donations are welcome in Mary’s memory to either: McNally House Hospice or Durham Region Hospice Whitby.
Mary graduated from the St. Michael’s Hospital Nursing School in 1969 and worked as a Registered Nurse until her retirement in 2013. She worked for 37 years at Sunnybrook & Women’s Hospital in Toronto in CCU, Diagnostic Imaging, and then Breast Cancer diagnostic research. She made true, lifelong friends over this time. Mary was instrumental in founding the Ontario Society for Diagnostic Imaging Nurses (OSDIN) to improve quality control and sterile procedures in Diagnostic Imaging. Special thanks to the doctors and staff at Sunnybrook and the Odette Cancer Centre for their dedication, compassion, and professional care last spring during Mary’s treatment.
Mary was deeply devoted to her family. Predeceased by parents Richard Cyril Joseph (Sid) Brown and Rita Helen (Murphy) Brown. Mary is survived and dearly missed by her husband of 43+ years, John Rycroft, daughter Dr. Jennifer (Kowgier) Rycroft, son-in-law Mark Kowgier, and two beautiful and special grandchildren to whom she was the world’s best grandma; Sidney, (namesake of Mary’s father) and Eleanor, (namesake of John’s mother). She also will be dearly missed by her brother Rick Brown (Annie) of Newmarket, sister/brother-in-laws Sandra & Clare Metselaar, Donald & Kathy Rycroft, and many nieces and nephews, Aunt Cathy Millions (Timmins) and the extended Brown family.
Mary was a long standing member of the Third Tuesday Book Club and loved by many friends and neighbours, especially Pat Hopper, Peggie Wall, Josie Wade, Barb Howe, Carol Sakamoto. Mary cherished every relationship as only she could. Her generosity of spirit, and matching sense of style, were always appreciated and rarely duplicated. She leaves a hole in the lives of all she met, but also a legacy of her love.
Friends are invited to a celebration of Mary’s life on Saturday March 18th in the afternoon, 3 to 6 pm. at the Stonehouse-Whitcomb Funeral Home, 11 Mountain Street, Grimsby, Ontario. (www.smithsfh.com 905-945-2755). According to Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place, with a private family interment to occur at a later date.
Donations are welcome in Mary’s memory to either: McNally House Hospice or Durham Region Hospice Whitby.