Obituary of Anne McRae
November 22, 1927 – October 21, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anne McRae. Our mother was born in Toronto on November 22, 1927, the fourth daughter of Louis and Monica Wilson. The family lived on Rhodes Avenue in east-end Toronto where mom attended St. Bridget Catholic School and later, Eastern Commerce. She met our father Don McRae through a church network group and the two, who were married in 1949, celebrated 68 years of marriage, until his passing in 2007.
The two shared seven children together - Gerry (Deb), Peter (deceased) (Nancy), Mary Anne, Michael (Vicki), Catherine (Micha), Andy (deceased), and Maureen (Bill). The family tree continued to grow with 16 grandchildren, Jeff (Michelle), Lindsay (Mark), Keyne, (James), Leigh (Kevin), Alex, (Mark), Andrea (Mike), Katie, Adam (Lulu), Matthew (Maya), Alanna (Steve), Tim (Niamh), Julia (Colin) and Allison, Gabriel, Reid and Trinity. To add to the fold, Mom was blessed with 13 great-grandchildren, Evie, Chloe, Luca, Leo, Parker, Miles, Whitney, Noelle, Ava, Alia, Ben, Simon and Archer.
Mom loved her kids, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always taking the time to send a card on their birthday and welcoming them with hugs and kisses when visiting. Photo opportunities abounded, with youngsters perched on her lap or cuddled in her arms. Mom made the kitchen her home and haven. She enjoyed creating an ever expanding and always-creative menu of entrées followed by desserts - brownies iced with marshmallows and chocolate, apple pie with the best crust ever, Christmas short bread cookies that melted in your mouth – were just a few of her delicacies.
After the kids had grown old enough, mom took a job as a receptionist at a doctor’s clinic and worked there until well into her sixties. She provided the same care and kindness to patients as she did at home. She was able to touch the hearts of all the people who met her. Well into her seventies and eighties, she’d visit housebound individuals in the neighbourhood, providing homemade meals and conversation. She was like that, our mom. She could carry on conversations with anyone, whether old, young, infirm or well.
Mom was strong in her faith and both she and dad were active church goers at Blessed Trinity and St. Bonaventure, participating in church prayer groups, supporting new refugees to Canada and providing support for Share Life charities, The Catholic Women’s League and the Daily Food Bank.
An avid bridge player, she played in multiple foursomes. The prize pots were a walloping four dollars. Mom always ensured that her weekly bank withdrawals included a few loonies.
Sadly, the effects of the pandemic kept her from her beloved bridge game and attending daily church services. Not to be deterred, she went online to worship and watch mass every Sunday. She maintained her daily shot of scotch at 5:30pm. That and crossword puzzles were some of her favourite treats.
Abdominal surgery in July 2021 took a toll on her body but, mom being mom, she rebounded, an amazing feat for a 93 year old. Unfortunately, her strength waned. We, her children, had the great good fortune of being able to see and spend time with her while she was in palliative care. Gratefully, we were able say our final goodbyes. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses and all of the staff at Sunnybrook hospital for their loving attention. To all of you who loved and supported our mother, thank you. She had a large family and a broad group of friends, many of whom have shared with us what a wonderful person she was.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East) from 2 – 5 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27th. A service will be held in St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto, on Thursday, October 28th at 10:30 a.m. Check for a live stream option of the service at http://www.st-bonaventure.ca/aboutus/. Due to COVID restrictions, the visitation and the funeral are by invitation only. A link to register your attendance will be sent to invitees. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sunnybrook Foundation would be appreciated, in recognition of the exceptional care Anne received there. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
Questions?
