Obituary of Mary Anne McCarty-Mayor

Dr. Mary Anne McCarty-Mayor Born October 16, 1945, in Lexington, Kentucky; died October 18, 2008, in Toronto, Ontario. Daughter of Anne Norton McCarty and Thomas South McCarty of Lexington, KentuckyPreceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law Marcus Clifton RenfrowSurvived by cherished husband, James Edwin Mayor, sisters Maude Elizabeth McCarty and Theresa Norton McCarty and her husband, James Williams, niece Anne Eleanor McCarty Williams and her husband John Kietzman, sister-in-law Mary Sarah Mayor, nieces and nephews Liana Joy, Greg, Jessica, and Jules Bartle, and many other beloved relatives and special friends. The long-awaited first child of Anne and Tom McCarty, Mary Anne was treasured by family and friends for all her days. From her earliest years she brought to all facets of her life a style and grace that were manifestations of her beauty, thoughtfulness, creativity, generosity, kindness, intelligence, compassion, and above all her love of life. A person of great insight and wisdom, from childhood she excelled in her studies, winning scholarships and fellowships all the way through. Mary Anne graduated from St. Peter's School and Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Kentucky and Villa Madonna (now Thomas More) College in Covington. She studied at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Toronto's St. Michael's College, and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Her professional career was spent as a Psychologist with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, where she helped countless children and won the abiding respect, admiration, and affection of her peers. For the past 25 years, Mary Anne was a member of the Annex Singers, where she made many valued friends and where her beautiful soprano voice will not be forgotten. In 1994 Mary Anne was diagnosed with a brain tumor which, after surgery, left her with few symptoms, and she continued to lead a normal life. In 2005 her health began to suffer, and she underwent additional treatments until these could no longer help her. In September Mary Anne entered palliative care, where she inspired so many anew with her characteristic loveliness and bravery. On October 18, surrounded by her family, Mary Anne passed away.The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Avenue, (south of Eglinton Avenue East) from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21 and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday, October 23 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, 354 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, M5P 1N4, followed by interment at the Toronto Necropolis, 200 Winchester Street. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Pencer Brain Tumor Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, to Holy Rosary Parish or to The Annex Singers of Toronto, 300 Wychwood Avenue, Toronto, ON M6C 2T8