Mary Christine (Mccorquodale) Hartley

Mary (nee McCorquodale) Hartley

April 27, 1929 - December 13, 2022

Mary Hartley, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt passed away peacefully after life filled with many adventures.  Her experiences began young with stories of community euchre parties, attending a one room school house with cousins, and highland dancing followed by high school in Embro and stories of misadventures during sleigh rides to school.  She furthered her education with a teaching certificate and started teaching in a one room school house by the age of 18.  Romance bloomed when she met her future husband, Donald Hartley (d.1976) at a University of Guelph dance.  They married in1950 and together they farmed on the 10th line of East Zorra, raised seven children Jeanne (David), David, Jim (Bonnie), Anne (Ian), Marie (Ken), Alex (Vickie) and Lois (Mike) and took an active role in the community.  Over the years Mom led 4-H clubs, learned to swim with all of us at the Tatham pond, participated in the 10th Line Women’s group, the United Church women, and later sang in church choir and was active in the Rebekah Lodge. Dad’s early passing brought Mom to a new phase of her life – she went back to supply teaching and eventually took a position with Oxford Public Health teaching Dental Hygiene to elementary students throughout the county and enjoyed her new role of the “Swish Lady” as she helped children with fluoride treatments.  She began to travel and over the years travelled across North America and around the world to the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.  However, her biggest accomplishment and the joy of her life was raising a large family who come together happily to share time with her. She attended graduations, weddings, and as the family added generations, this shared love and laughter was passed on at huge family meals. She will be missed by her 14 grandchildren and their families, her sister Viola McColl and sisters-in-laws Joan McCorquodale, Barb McCorquodale, Lorna Dodds and Joan Hartley and their families. Mom, we love you and will remember you always through our stories and the laughter we share whenever we all gather together to share a meal.  Mary’s family will receive friends and relatives from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 22 at the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock, 519-539-0004. A celebration of Mary’s life will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, December 23 at St. David’s United Church, 190 Springbank Ave. Woodstock with a reception to follow.  In honour of Mary’s wishes, and in lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or St. David’s United Church would be appreciated by the family and may be arranged through the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be given at www.brockandvisser.com