Obituary of Mary Lie

Mary Diana Lie (née Black) passed away peacefully on December 23, 2021, in her 99th year. She died at home with her daughter Kari and caregiver Novie by her side.

Mary was born on April 18, 1923 in North Toronto. After graduating from Lawrence Park Collegiate she went to McMaster University for her BA, and then back to Toronto for Library School.

Little did she know how her life would change one night in 1944 when she volunteered to help out at a dance for the Norwegian Air Force men stationed in Toronto at Little Norway. It was there that she met Gunnar Lie, a young Norwegian who had been active in the Norwegian underground before arriving in Canada. They were married secretly in August 1945, and in April 1946 Mary was finally able to join Gunnar in Norway. What a change for a young woman from North Toronto!

Eventually they returned to Toronto where Mary worked as a librarian while Gunnar studied to be a dentist and then an orthodontist. They had a rich and full life together, travelling, collecting art, skiing at Devils Glen and at their condo in Colorado and spending summers at the cottage. After Gunnar retired he and Mary spent their summers at Clear Lake and their winters in Naples, Florida. They loved to host friends and family, always with open arms and delicious food and wine. Mary was an excellent cook, an avid gardener and a lover of art and books, passions which she passed on to her daughter and grandsons.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband Gunnar (2014) and will be deeply missed by daughter Kari, and by grandsons Matthew (Myrtle) and Nicholas (Lindsey). She also leaves great grandchildren Freya, Lawrence and Odin, whom she absolutely adored. Predeceased by sister Doris Davidson (Ross, both 2020). Survived by brother David Black (Joan). For Mary family was everything!

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at the Dunfield Retirement Residence. Extra special thanks go to mom’s amazing caregivers, Novie, Sunshine and Elisa. Finally, we wish to express our gratitude for the phenomenal support provided by Dr Walji and the team from Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care.  If you wish, donations can be made to Temmy Latner at www.tlcpc.org.  Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.