August 9 1927 to February 25, 2022
Mary Grasser (nee Shiach) passed away peacefully at The Roxborough Retirement Residence in Newmarket, Ontario on February 25, 2022 at the age of 94. Mary was the much beloved wife of Beverly for 65 years, and very loving mother of three children, Stephen, David and Susan and their spouses - Mary, Debora and Scott. She was a proud grandmother of 10 and happy great grandmother of 23. Mary was pre-deceased by her husband Beverly, parents Harold and Margaret Shiach, and her sister, Audrey Alderson.
Mary was a graduate social worker in Toronto and Montreal. She was always interested in social action, and, by her own admission (confirmed by others), loved to talk. She worked variously with Children’s Aid, developmentally delayed children, and Big Brothers. She was involved in federal politics while living in Montreal and municipal affairs when back in Toronto.
Her personal passions included current events, social justice and gardening. These interests she passed on to her children. Much of her time, though, was devoted to talking with her children and grandchildren, keeping up to date with their families and gently offering encouragement and advice accrued through her lifetime. We shall all be forever indebted for her kindness, wisdom and love.
At her wish there will be no funeral, but a celebration of life ceremony is planned for later this year. As well, in lieu of flowers, she requested that donations be made to the charities of your choice.
“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.”