LIPSIT, Marilyn Jane (Shute)

Our loving and devoted matriarch passed away on November 2. She was just weeks shy of her 97th birthday. We are thankful mom died as she wished: peacefully, in her own bed, in her Oakville home overlooking the lake. True to form, her last words were “thank you, for everything.” A child of the Great Depression, mom was fortunate and —rightfully — very proud to have been one of the three women to graduate from McMaster’s first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree class in 1950. She nursed with the VON before dedicating herself to raising her children, being a committed volunteer, and being fully a partner to our father throughout his career with A.E. Ames and Co. and successor firms. A stellar basketball player at Ridgetown High, mom loved all sports, but most especially curling. And she played a ruthless game of croquet. Mom was predeceased by Cam, after 65 years of marriage, nine years ago. They were devoted to one another. David, her youngest child, died in 2021. His death left a hole in her heart. But her comfort came from knowing all was good — great, in fact — with the rest of her family: son Bill (Janice McCann); daughter —and dedicated caregiver — Margot Mouret (Michel); son Jamie (Kim); grandchildren Jessica Mouret, Christopher Lipsit (Margaret Mulrooney), Alexandre Mouret (Alexandra Lacko), and Andrew Lipsit (Jessie). Also surviving and so dear to her heart in recent years are the great-grandchildren: Grayson and Adeline Mouret, Cameron and Joshua Lipsit, Clara and Everett Mouret and Cecily and Quentin Lipsit. Great-Gran loved her visits, calls and FaceTimes with the latest generation. Her grandchildren this week described Gran as “sweet, kind-hearted, generous, devoted and sophisticated.” They nailed it. And while distance precluded as many visits as we’d have wished, Bill, so rightly, said: “Her calls anchored our day.” Mom is also survived by nephew Steven Lipsit and his family. We trust all mom’s caregivers from the Acclaim and Thistlecreek agencies know how deeply grateful we all are for their dedication. And while Mom didn’t ever like to be the centre of attention, donations to the Oakville Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. A family gathering is planned for the historic Pioneer Cemetery in Leith, Ont., in the spring.