In peace at her home, The Edinburgh Retirement Residence on February 13, 2021, aged 104. She was the loving wife of the late Col. Robert Lewis Raymont, and predeceased by her parents Sir Ashley Skelton Ward, Hilda Lewis Ward, her son John and daughter-in-law Lindalee Tracey.
She was born in London, England on January 17, 1917 and educated at St John's School, Bexhill-on-Sea and Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
She was an accomplished equestrian, pianist, photographer, mezzo soprano, tennis partner and a great walker. During the Second World War she served as Sergeant-Major with the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) driving military personnel to varied locations within the United Kingdom, usually in the blackout. She was also trained to fix motorcycles in the dark.
On February 7, 1944 she married Robert Lewis Raymont, and in 1949 they moved to Ottawa, Canada, where her husband continued his military career.
Mary enjoyed the out-of-doors and would lead the family on many day-walks to Gatineau Park and Lac Philippe. She and Rob loved the seaside and took the family to Scarborough Beach, Maine, USA practically every summer. She was a great caddy and accompanied Rob on his weekly golf games at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, and a keen snowshoer on the course during the winter.
Her work with the IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire), included support for increased secondary education in northern Canada, and in 2007 she was presented with a Citation by Governor General Michaëlle Jean for her work as the longest-serving member of the Laurentian Chapter. She was a faithful parishioner at St Bartholomew’s Church and her projects for the Church Bazaar were constant for over 70 years. She will be greatly missed by her children Elizabeth (Scott Heatherington), Peter (Nancy Lang) and David (Jane Dinniwell), and her grandsons Robert Ward Heatherington and Liam Tracey-Raymont. During her long and happy life, she was the most supportive Mum and Gran.
Somehow, we always thought she would be there for us - and of course she will still be our 'umbrella in the sky'. The family is most grateful for the caring and superb support of Luzviminda Guerrero, Mulunesh Yimmesghen and the excellent staff at The Edinburgh Retirement Residence.
Farewell, dear Mum- we will be thinking of you as we continue your walks, and every time we find a sand dollar on Scarborough Beach.
A church service will be planned at a later date.
To celebrate her memory, should you wish, a donation could be made to the St Bartholomew's Church Refugee Fund, 125 MacKay Street, Ottawa K1M 2B4.
Digital Guestbook
Diane Nancekivell
Linda Assad-Butcher
My sincere condolences to the family
Sue Revere
I met Mary when I was staying at The Edinburgh recovering from a knee operation. We both enjoyed many sunny days together in the back garden listening to the fountain. I was privileged to spend time with her.
Alison and Stephen Clayton
Peter and Liz. So sorry for your loss: your Mum was a remarkable woman.
Andrea Thomson
My sincere condolences. May your memories bring you peace.
Nancy Laws
She was a great lady and will be sorely missed. She always had a cup of tea for me when I came by to visit, along with a cookie or two - I will miss those times.
Maria Linhares de Sousa
My sincere condolences to Mrs. Raymont’s family. My thought and prayers are with you. She was a truly remarkable woman. I feel privileged to have known her.
Theresa
Thinking of you in the loss of your mother. May her soul rest in peace.
Marilyn Denton
Wish I could hug you and share a cup of tea and chat about what a wonderful woman she was. Thank you for the opportunity to get to know her, especially when she and your father lived on Rideau Terrace and I was typing his memoirs which she hand wrote from his dictation. It was such a treat!
Peter Oldham and Julia Turner
Dear Liz, We feel so privileged to have met your mum. In our one brief conversation with her, it was evident that she was an extraordinary person; an example to us of a life well-lived. In sympathy and love, Peter and Julia
I remember her as a most warm and gracious hostess for all of Liz’s friends!