April 8, 1936 – November 1, 2024
After a brief illness Mary passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family members. Born in Niagara Falls, New York and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Mary was the third child of her beloved parents, Bryant and Alice Langmuir. She was loved and cherished by her husband and best friend, David Fleming Wright, with whom she enjoyed sixty-four years of marriage. Her brother, Bryant Langmuir, and sister, Alice Langmuir Sweet, predeceased her, as did brothers-in-law, Waldo Sweet and Bernard Koster. She leaves her sister, Noni Langmuir Koster as well as sister-in-law, Lyndy Wright Heggie.
Mary was devoted to her son, David Langmuir Wright (Marjorie Ferguson Wright) and daughter, Alexandra Elling (Richard David). She also was the adored grandmother, ‘Fanny’ of Isabella and Christina Elling. Twelve nieces and nephews benefited from her kindness, wisdom and enduring sense of responsibility (although, alas, three predeceased her).
After boarding school and junior college in the United States, Mary graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957. Thereafter she enjoyed a brief career in Market Research with Procter and Gamble when she wasn’t busy riding her horse. Like many women of her generation, she retired early to devote herself to raising two children and supporting David’s career. She did, however, enjoy a stint as a real estate agent in the 1970s and 80s. Bridge, travel, skiing, sailing aboard the two Sericas and winning a mixed tennis championship with son, David, at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club counted as some of Mary’s favourite leisure activities.
Ever the consummate and down-to-earth hostess, Mary, along with David, welcomed friends and family to their beautiful Toronto home on numerous occasions for the forty years they resided there, after which retiring to Collingwood, Ontario in 2000. There she oversaw the design of another gorgeous home while also pursuing leisure and volunteer activities, notably taking a turn as President of the local PROBUS Chapter. A voracious reader and consumer of thought-provoking media and entertainment, Mary was possessed of a sharp mind and wry wit.
It will be remembered that a certain friendly green pea fight waged at her elegant Christmas luncheon table and, indeed, a whoopee cushion inadvertently sat upon by an unsuspecting but playful grandmother at the Christmas dinner table didn’t phase her. No – she took it all cheerfully in stride.
Friends and family members are invited to a Celebration of Life on Wednesday November 13th, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Fawcett Funeral Home, 82 Pine Street, Collingwood, Ontario, L9Y 2N7. For those unable to attend in person, the link will be posted at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com where tributes will be made at 2:00 p.m. Mary’s online Book of Memories also can be found on the website.