It is with broken hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Mary in Toronto on January 26, 2024, in her 69th year. Left to mourn are her children, Patrick Russell (Mona Galliera), and Christine Russell (Amber Lichtenberg) as well as her grandchildren, Caemen Russell (Michelle Berry), Keagan Howard-Russell, Mathew Maccuiag, and Kayla Maccuiag will deeply miss their GiGi who loved them to distraction.
Also missing her is cherished friend Amber Howard and special confidant & ex Jack Senechal.
She sadly leaves behind her father, Henry (predeceased by Mother Ilene) Goertzen, her siblings; Terry (Sheila), John (Linda Vardy), predeceased by sister Sue Stewart (Keith), Mike (Louise), Dan (Gretta), Nancy Leindecker (Scott), Vicky Goertzen-Cooke (Tony) and many nieces and nephews.
Mary grew up in Bar River and, although she missed her home and family, spent most of her life in southern Ontario in Sarnia and London before finally settling in the heart of Toronto, a city she loved.
Mary studied Mechanical Engineering at Western University before switching to Mechanical Engineering Technology at Fanshawe College where she was at the top of her class with a specialty in the then new field of Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing. To get an interview in a male dominated field, Mary adopted her nickname George and secured a summer internship at Hendrickson Spring in Stratford.
A car accident on the way to Hendrickson would unfortunately set up lifelong health challenges.
Upon graduation, George utilized her CAD/M skills as a Facility Designer for Burger King Canada where she handled project design and management during the restaurant/head office retrofits and new restaurant builds across the GTA/Southern Ontario. Subsequently, she went on to work for the Ministry of Health, designing/managing facilities including offices, ambulance stations and Minister’s offices.
George was fearless in her jobs, always pushing for what was ‘right’, sometimes inelegantly but always with an enthusiasm that was infectious. It was part of her everyday experience of life, a passion to do more, be more, share more.
She was a kind-hearted good spirit who truly only wanted the best for all that were in her orbit, even if she sometimes expressed it gruffly. Her dry subtle wit, usually with a twinkle in her eye will be missed.
Her joys & passions in life were her grandchildren, creating, and her animal companions.
She could not do enough for her grandchildren and found her later life health challenges so frustrating in how they limited her ability to act on that passion and love. She was a fierce advocate, loving champion, and the biggest fan of her grandchildren Caeman, Matthew, Kayla, and Keagan.
George’s passion was creating – at work and at home. She had a special talent for sewing, knitting and crochet as well as being a skilled jeweller and crafter who showered those close to her with her gifts.
She loved animals and some of her fondest memories were from her childhood on the farm in Bar River. George shared her home with a variety of pets through the years but had a soft spot for dogs. Carbon, a German Pinscher captured her heart recently and was her final animal friend and constant companion.
At George’s request, there will be a private family service at a later date. Please remember her best by:
- fiercely loving your children and those dear to you,
- finding joy in creating beauty whatever & however that speaks to you,
- allow your heart to be captured by a pet’s eyes, and perhaps reach out to one in need, and
- most importantly, never let your challenges, no matter how daunting, get the better of a stubborn passion-filled joy seeking pursuit of a better tomorrow for you and those you care about.