Mary Pring (nee Whan) passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 29, 2024 at the Meaford Long Term Care Home. Up to the end, Mary maintained her infectious smile, kindness, compassion, sense of humor, and the love of her family and friends.
Mary’s life can be encapsulated in five words; family, friends, food, fun and her wonderful sense of humor. In her 83 years with us she experienced life to the utmost and did it her way.
Mary being the youngest daughter of twelve children spent her early years in Belfast, Ireland; she came over to Canada in 1958 on the Empress to be a nanny for her older sister Catherine and her five children. There in Montreal she met who was to be the love of her life, Raymond. They shared five beautiful children together before Raymond passed away in 1980.
As a single mother, Mary met every challenge with determination. She was protective of her children and always created a sense of community. Mary fed, clothed and, if necessary, disciplined the neighbourhood children on right and wrong. She was the mother of mothers to all of us.
Mary is survived by her five children; Pamela Wright, Stephen Pring, Trevour Pring, Wayne Pring, and Deborah Pring; her Grand-daughter Nicole Will; her sister Maureen Fee and her brother Joe Whan. Also remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews and relatives of which there are too many to mention.
Mary also considered the staff at the Meaford Long Term Care her friends and family, and we will always be thankful for the wonderful care they provided to our mother.
There will be a private family internment at the Knox Presbyterian Cemetery in Collingwood and a Celebration of Life to be held on May 10, 2025 from 1 until 3 p.m. at Paddy Flaherty’s Irish Pub in Sarnia, Ontario.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca