Mary Coats
1933-2021
COATS, Mary (nee BOOTH)
It is with broken hearts and wonderful memories that we
announce the passing of Mary Coats, 87, on Sunday, January 24, 2021,
at her residence in The Village of Riverside Glen, Guelph, Ontario.
Born in Toronto on July 31, 1933, Mary was the youngest daughter of
Winnifred (Hanley) and Samuel Booth. She was predeceased by her
husband Jim Coats and by her sisters Beryl, Peggy and Jeanne. Her
sister Winnie lives in Vancouver. No description of Mary’s full and
happy life would be complete without many repetitions of the word
“loved.” She loved her husband, Jim. They married when she
was 19 and he remained the love of her life until his passing in May
2019. She loved her seven children, twenty-five grandchildren, eleven
great-grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews. She was the
world’s most-loved mother-in-law. She loved to dance, and even after
dementia robbed her of her memories, she could still sing songs from
her favourite Broadway musicals. She loved Christmas and parties
– especially family parties – at which her famous
homemade butter tarts were always a highlight, and she never turned
down a request to bake them. She loved summers at Bangor Lodge, winter
visits to Florida, and being with her children no matter where they
were. She loved romance novels, the Toronto Blue Jays, and playing and
watching golf. She loved to laugh and she loved to tell jokes, even if
the punchlines were often obscured by her own uncontrollable laughter.
She loved her years as manager of classified advertising with the
North York Mirror, and the generations of students that she and Jim
befriended while working at Anderson-Coats Photography at the
University of Guelph. Mary and Jim loved their Rexdale, Snowcrest and
Magnolia Lane neighbours, and the many lifelong friends they made
through forestry, square dancing and University of Toronto –
especially Ken and Joan Higgs, who were as close as family. Mary’s
soft, gentle voice saying “Don’t forget we love you” will be
missed every day by her children Lynne (Larry), Rick (Sandy), Jenny
(Bruce), Sam (Peggy), David (Jennifer), Stephen, and Elizabeth.
Cremation has taken place. You are invited to share your memories of
Mary at www.gilchristchapel.com When
it is safe to gather again, Mary’s family and friends will celebrate
her life with something she would have loved – a
Party.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Coats 19332021..
Death notice for the town of: Guelph, Province: Ontario