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.
Livre de visiteurs
Anne Wheatley
THOMAS K MORTON, RMC
Mary was such a wonderful Lady.
Erle and Jan Wheatley
It was a pleasure meeting Mary. I remember when we went to their house and she shared her seafood chowder and carrot cake recipes. We have had them many times and our children and grandchildren love them as well. We have passed them on to many friends. She had a love of books and Jan and her will talk for long periods of time about the book. Her kindness to Jan while she went to school in Ottawa was extraordinary. They attended the ballet together and of course the Christmas market.
Kathy Oderkirk
Sincerest condolences to Mary’s families, you not likely know who I am, but, my late husband,, (RSM of 1 RCHA in the late 70s,) when your mom + dad were in Lahr, had so many wonderful things to say about him.
Thinking of you all at this time,
Kathy Oderkirk
Mary Lee Smith
A wonderful friend who helped me so many times. Missed so much.
Shirley & Darcy Wall
Our sincere condolences to Mark, Robb and families. We remember you well from our time in Germany.
Wendy Lawrence
As someone who met Mary at Brewer Pool aquafit classes, I would like to extend my sympathy to her family. Mary and I enjoyed discussing literature and music (e.g. Met Opera at the cinema and her book club books), so we got together even outside the aquafit context. I last saw her in the Fall, when I returned a book that she had lent to me -- so I was saddened then to learn of her illness. I spoke with her in February, when she was receiving radiation treatment.
I am not able to attend the memorial on Saturday, but I wanted Mary's family to know how much she was appreciated beyond the circles with which you are familiar. With best wishes,
Wendy Lawrence
Tina Askwith
She was a lovely woman. She is missed.
Tina
Kathy DeSilver-Baker
I am Aunt Mary's niece. Her late husband, Howard's sister, Dorothy is my mother.
Earl Mansfield RMC # 3841
As an RMC classmate of Howie's. I and my wife Ruth (deceased, May 2020) met Mary on a number of occasions, including class reunions and our frequent visits to Ottawa. Mary was always gracious, straightforward and clearly very intelligent and well educated. The last occasion, sadly, was at the hospice shortly before Howie's passing. Mary said not word about her own health situation. A brave and respected military couple that supported and complimented each other, they have left an enviable legacy of lives well-lived for their family to emulate. I very much regret not being able to attend the April 16th service due to some current health issues.
A smart loving woman with an amazing smile! Gone too soon.