Mary Eleanor Hawthorne

Mary Eleanor Hawthorne (Midge), 81 of Ottawa, died on March 28th, 2024. She led a life marked by dedication, service, and love of family and friends. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a remarkable individual whose legacy will endure in those she knew.

Mary was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Fielding Anthony Mercer (Bud) and Mary Eleanor (nee Bonner) on May 23rd, 1942. Mary grew up in Edmonton with her parents and siblings.

Mary graduated from the Misericordia Nursing School of Edmonton in 1965. She was a dedicated Registered Nurse and Veteran. Mary served with distinction in the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Armed Forces, in CFB Cornwallis (NS), National Defense Medical Center and CFB Rockcliffe (ON) from 1968-1976. After leaving the military at the rank of captain, she continued to serve as a civilian nurse at the National Defense Medical Center in Ottawa.

Mary is predeceased by her father, Fielding Anthony (Bud) and mother Mary Eleanor, her husband David Hawthorne, father-in-law Dr Wran Hawthorne, and mother-in-law Isabel Hawthorne, her brother Frederick Mercer and sister-in-law Theresia Mercer. (AB) Greatly loved, she is survived by her sister Annette Hyatt (Chuck) (ON) and her brother Joseph (Stella) Mercer (NB). Aunt Mary is fondly remembered by her nephews and nieces, Charles Hyatt (ON), Beth Kinghan (ON), David Hyatt (ON), Jurgen Mercer (AB), Mark Mercer (BC), Mary Little (AB), Susan Carter (AB), Cheryl Harris (NB), Lou Mercer (NB).  Loving Grandson of Annette Hyatt, Robert Hyatt (ON) and many other great nieces and nephews.
Mary leaves very close family friends, John and Carolyn Cooper, and her godsons, Daniel and David, who have many dear memories of her.

Mary spent many happy times at Lac des Seize Iles, Quebec on Hawthorne Island with her husband David, surrounded by the Calder family. She leaves her second cousins by marriage of the Calder Family: Georgia Drinkell, Linda Mavriplis, Brenda Ticehust and George Calder. She will be deeply missed as well by her friend and Calder relative, Cleo Mavriplis and sons James and Andrew.
Always sociable, helpful and reaching out to others, she formed many close bonds with her neighbours and friends on Caroline Ave, where she lived for a major part of her life.
 
As we remember Mary Eleanor Hawthorne, let us honour her memory by embodying the values she lived by dedication, compassion, and love. Though she may have left this world, she lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she leaves behind.
Though she may have passed from our sight, her spirit remains a cherished part of our lives.
Rest in peace, Mary. Your light will continue to shine in our hearts.

There will be a memorial service for Mary on 27th of April 2024. Visitation at 11:00 am, Memorial Service at 12:00 noon, with light refreshments after the service, at Tubman Funeral Homes – Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Rd (between Bayshore and Baseline Rd) , Nepean, Ontario.

If you would like to make a donation in honour of Mary’s memory, please consider a charity of your choice.