Mary Margaret Wheatley (nee Rapawy) of Ottawa, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the age of 84 years. Beloved wife of the late Howard Ross Wheatley, and loving mother of Michael (Jennifer) Wheatley of Ottawa, and Robb (Kristin Moore) Wheatley of Victoria. Grandmother extraordinaire to Lillian and Coulson of Ottawa.
Mary had many passions in her life but highest on her list was family. Mum provided limitless love, encouragement and support for her husband Howie and her twin boys. She ushered the family through the many postings of Howie’s lengthy military career, epic events such as the building of the family cottage at Crow Lake and being a hands-on grandmother in Ottawa.
An intellectually gifted woman, Mary graduated in Education from Queen's University and taught High School English, Math, and ESL. Once the boys were older, Mary obtained her Master's degree from Concordia in Educational Technology, and had a successful second career as a Senior Training Consultant until her retirement.
Another one of Mary’s passions was the water. Mary started her lifelong appreciation of all things aquatic beginning with summer lifeguarding at the local pool in Windsor. Both sons and grandchildren inherited her enthusiasm and have spent many hours in pools, lakes and the ocean as a result. Mum was regularly attending aquafit until COVID put that on hold.
Friendship was also incredibly important to Mary; her circle was wide. From her extended family and military community, to schoolmates, book club friends and pool pals, she nurtured those relationships throughout her life. She will be remembered as good a friend as one could hope to have.
Mary was very passionate about food, literature, and the arts. She was an active reader, correspondent, a member of book clubs, and patron of both the National Gallery and the National Arts Centre.
A remarkable lady, Mary will be sorely missed and remembered by so many. Mary was predeceased by her husband of 60 years Howard Wheatley, and her parents Andrew and Annie Rapawy.
A memorial reception will be held at Beechwood Cemetery on Saturday April 16, 2022 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
Please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.
Digital Guestbook
James McGibbon
Joanne Lynn
My sincere condolences to Mary's family. She was a wonderful lady and will be greatly missed by her Aquafit friends.
Christine A Langille-Lewis
I will truly miss our email exchanges Mary!
Judy Wheatley Fillion
The extended Wheatley family loved Mary and will miss her enthusiasm for all things, brilliant mind and wonderful sense of humor.
My condolences Robb and Michael. I look back with very fond memories of your whole family, especially when I was very young and you were all so gracious in putting up with me. Mary was such a kind and thoughtful person, she will be missed.