We celebrate the Life and Passover of a woman whose Legionary spirit has touched the hearts of  many people throughout the Ottawa Valley and far beyond. Above all else, Mary was known for her love of family and extended family. Her arms reached out to include all in her daily life and prayers. She was a Legion of Mary member for over seventy years; witnessing the growth of the Legion from a Curia to that of Senatus, in which she served as its President.

Her unfailing spiritual devotion to her family, parish and community was unsurpassed. Whether it was the blind, the deaf, converts or prisoners, she had a definite positive influence. In her early years, in Manotick, as a member of one of the few Catholic families in the area, (one of eight children), she was a child of Mary and predestined to bring others to Jesus.

She first took me under her wing when 1 was a young man, (around 20), and introduced me to the Legion of Mary. From there, it was only a matter of time, after she trained me in visitation of the sick and orphans, (St. Patrick's and St. Teresa's Orphanages) as well as instructing converts in the faith, and working with the Native Indians, to take the next step to the priesthood. She was my strongest supporter in the Seminary, fostering many vocations to the priesthood and sisterhood, using the Legion of Mary method in this preparation time, personal sanctification through the sanctification of others.

When I think of her, the words of our blessed Lady: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord" and "My soul magnifies the Lord," best reflect her lifestyle. She befriended all who met her, influencing them with that inner glow of love, peace and joy, whether at Mass with her friends, Bessie O'Mara and Jimmy Walsh, or when she wheeled a handicapped person in a wheel chair at our annual pilgrimage to the Cape, or served a meal with her sister Ethel, giving new meaning to the word hospitality. Knighted by our Pope for her work with the Marian Congress, she remained always the same in ministry to the poor or children, as in the Mother Teresa Group at Our Lady of Fatima Church or in her devotion to the blind and the deaf.

When I pray the Rosary I think of the many people who have said to me: 'I owe my love of the Rosary to Mary.' 'She stood by me when I became a Catholic.' 'She was there for me when I needed help.' 'Ask Mary ... she will know what to do.' She truly imitated Mary at the foot of the cross, when Jesus said to His Mother: 'Behold your Son.' She opened her heart to all. She gave of herself to all, especially her immediate and extended family.

We say goodbye as others say welcome, many, many others who went ahead to prepare the way for her. Her work here is done, but she will continue to help us and intercede for us from heaven. We can truly say as we pray: "Mary, Mother of Ottawa, pray for us."

Fr. Jim Whalen, Spiritual Director,

Senatus of Ottawa and Northern Ontario, Canada