Mary Wood Flora (nee Carson)

A Mother and Daughter is a special bond that spans the years.
Through laughter, worry, smiles and tears.
A sense of trust that can’t be broken, a depth of love sometimes unspoken.
A life long friendship built on sharing, hugs and kisses, warmth and caring.
Mother and Daughter, their hearts are one – a link that can never be undone.
~ Mila Raine

It is with a heavy heart and a profound sadness that Mary’s family announces her passing on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Queen’s Garden Long Term Care residence in Hamilton, with her daughter Gillian by her side, holding each other’s hand and sharing gentle kisses of love. Mary was beautiful, she was a lady, she was classy, she was stylish ~ always dressed fashionably and sharp (oh those 6” heels!).  Mary was a ray of sunshine … her smile would light up a room. She was a thoughtful, caring and loving individual and yet could also be a force to be reckoned with.  She was small, yet mighty.   She was protective of the people and dogs she loved.   She was known to be independent, determined and at times set in her ways.

Mary was Gillian’s best friend, her confidante, her keeper of secrets, her cheerleader, her spa companion, her fashion designer, her warrior, her worrier and her protector.   In the last couple of years, when Mary could no longer be in Gill’s world, Gill went to hers. Mary loved animals, likely due to growing up on a farm in Hicks Settlement, New Brunswick.   Mary went on to love 2 golden retrievers (Neco and Clancy) and finally fell head over heals in love with Murphy, her Havenese companion.   Mary loved volunteering at the SPCA and Humane Society in Barrie, Ontario. Mary joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corp in New Brunswick, rank Private, at the age of 18 and served for 2 years.   

Mary moved to Ontario where she met Bob, her husband of 57 years and built their life together.Mary loved spending time at their cottage on Pine Lake (Gooderham, ON) which she and Bob bought before they were married.  Mary loved to garden, enjoyed her cup of coffee early in the morning before the rest of the world was awake, she always loved grilling pepperettes on a bonfire, and relaxing in her favourite Muskoka chair, with an ice cold pina colada cooler.   Mary never shied away from the refreshing cool swims in the lake – on May 2-4 weekends, Thanksgiving, even the middle of winter, after cutting a hole in the ice.  She did her first polar bear dip on New Years Day 2014!     

Mary & Bob travelled extensively on business and pleasure trips.   They survived the 1989 San Francisco Bay 7.0 earthquake, celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise, enjoyed trips to New York City (to shop at Saks), see Broadway shows and had the pleasure of seeing Robin Williams live (as a surprise guest) at one of the comedy clubs, they travelled to Europe, stopping off in Austria to appreciate Mary’s favourite composer, Johann Strauss II, by attending waltzes.  Mary’s most favourite and memorable trips were back “home” to New Brunswick to laugh, love and catch up with family.

Mary is survived by her daughter Gillian (Terry) and much-loved Havenese dog Murphy.   Mary is also survived by many special friends, nieces and nephews.  

Mary is predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Bob (June 20, 2023) and her parents, Martha (Sutherland) and Norman Carson and her 2 brothers, Ralph and Gordon, and her 4 sisters, Bea, Jean, Phyllis and Audrey.    

A heartfelt thank you to the staff of Queen’s Garden Long Term Care residence, especially the team on Gage Park 3^rd floor for their exceptional care, compassion and love they showed my mother.   Thanks for keeping her smiling!   Each of you truly made a difference in my mother’s life.and a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kathryn Swan and the Songbird Medical team for their exceptional care over the years when Mary was living in Burlington. 

Cremation has taken place. Donations can be made to the Ontario SPCA & Humane Society or the Alzheimer Society of Ontario in memory of Mary.