The death occurred at Muskoka Landing, Huntsville on Monday, September 26, 2011 of Mary Elder of Port Cunnington.
Beloved wife of the late Vince Elder. Dear sister of Winnifred Campbell, predeceased by twin brother Charlie Cunnington and half brothers and sisters . Loved by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Mitchell Funeral Home on Friday, September 30, 2011 from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A Funeral Service will be held at St. James Anglican Church, Port Cunnington on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 3 O’Clock. Interment to follow in St. James Anglican Cemetery, Port Cunnington.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. James Anglican Church, Port Cunnington or a Charity of your Choice.
Huntsville Forester Obituary Notice:
Mary Cunnington Elder, daughter of Port Cunnington pioneer Boyce Henry Cunnington and Mary Edith Cunnington (nee Hawn) died on Monday September 26, 2011 at Muskoka Landing with family by her side. She was 97 years old.
Mary, or Aunt Mern as she became known to her nieces and nephews, and her twin brother Charlie were born in Huntsville on December 10, 1913. She grew up at her parents’ summer resort, Port Cunnington Lodge attending Port Cunnington School and completing Lower School (grade 10 today) at age 16. At age 21 she moved to Toronto to attend Shaw Business School and began her first job with Foster Wheeling. When her mother Edith had a stroke, Mary returned home to help run Port Cunnington Lodge and to help care for her father Boyce Henry until his death in 1944. In 1945 she married Vincent George Elder in Whitefish Falls Ontario. They lived in Creighton Mine near Sudbury where Vince worked as a stationary engineer. On his retirement they returned to Port Cunnington to the house they had built on Elder Drive. Following Vince’s death in 1965, Mary worked as a receptionist at Britannia Hotel on Lake of Bays and then in Parry Sound for McCormick Beverages. A year and a half later she returned to Port Cunnington where she was hired as clerk for the Township of Lake of Bays. Upon retiring from this position she ran and was elected for three terms as councillor and district councillor for Franklin Ward. Over all her years she faithfully served her community, St. James Anglican church for which her dad had donated the property and the Township of Lake of Bays. She kept her keen interest in current local and world events until the end. She has been a loving and influential Aunt to all her many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and great grandnieces and nephews.
Gone before her are her parents, her husband Vince Elder, her brother Charlie and half- sisters Nellie Boothby, Ina Taplin, Emily Munro and Elsie Boothby and half-brothers Joe Taplin, Boyce, Bill, Percy and Art Cunnington.
Mary’s sister Winnifred Campbell still resides at Rogers Cove. Aunt Mern will be greatly missed by nephew Doug Cunnington and wife Helen and their children Charlie and wife Stefanie, Colombia S.A., Jim and partner Wayne, formerly from Australia but now living in Kimberley B.C and Will and his wife Santana and their children Danika and Alexander of Calgary AB., June and Roy Gates of Port Cunnington Joanne Cunnington, Huntsville, nephew Peter Taplin of Huntsville, nephew Roger and his wife Jackie, Port Cunnington, and their children Dean, Port Cunnington and son Ashton, Michelle and husband Dale Frye and daughter Eva of California and Sarah in Vancouver B.C. Joining in their sorrow are many members of her extended family and all the friends who loved and respected her.
Mary’s funeral service and interment, as planned by her, will be held at St. James Anglican Church, Port Cunnington on Saturday, October 1 at 3:00 p.m. The funeral will be conducted by Rev. Heather Manuel and Rev. Dawn Henderson. Pallbearers are Doug Cunnington, Will Cunnington, Roy Gates, Roger Campbell, Michael Cunnington and Michael Mann. A reception will follow at Port Cunnington Community Centre. It was her request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. James Anglican Church or a charity of your choice.
We will all remember you.
Jacqueline Godard
My many trips to South Haven and sitting with seniors during lunch gave me the privilege of meeting and having some nice chats with Mary. What a fascinating lady who enjoyed sharing stories. I looked forward so much to seeing her. What an honour meeting such a fine lady. My warm thoughts go out to you Joanna, Doug and the many other family members that will miss her.
Deb and Peter Parkinson
Roy and June,Please accept our deepest symptathy. We know that you have many wonderful memories and great stories of Aunt Mern. She will be greatly missed by all of your family. With love Deb and Pete
Winnie Braun Kesteloot
My family started visiting Port Cunnington in the 1950s and I’ve grown up knowing Aunt Mern, but it has been the last years visiting her that I’ve grown to appreciate her humor, intelligence and interest in the world. She has set a wonderful example of how to grow old gracefully.
My condolences to the family, but especially to June Gates, Joanne Cunnington and Winnie Campbell who have been the closest to her through her years at Rogers Cove and Muskoka Landing.
Terry and Carolyn Murray
Our deepest sympathy to June,Roy and JoAnne and the extended family. We only met “Aunt Mern”” a few times but she was the kind of person that made strangers feel welcome. You have many warm memories to cherish and these in turn will give you comfort and peace.”
Russell & Donna Hallman
My mother, Alice Elder, was a cousin of Vince’s. We first met Mary when she was living on Elder Rd. in Port Cunnington. She was so welcoming and served us homemade bread and jam though we arrived unexpectedly! We saw her almost every summer after that. She was such a lovely lady with lots of interesting stories to tell. We will miss our yearly visits with her.You have our deepest sympathy in your loss.
Bill and Jo Murray
Bill and I wish to express our deepest condolences to your family. Mary was so very proud of you all, always bragging on you to us by phone or letter! For having only spent a little more than a week with Mary, we felt like one of her family. She helped us through such a difficult time when my mom passed away, and brought us such joy and love and lots of laughter! She will not be forgotten in our hearts or lives. I know she is in Heaven leaping for joy at her new body and watching over us all. All our love and prayers, Jo and Bill
Julia & Philip Cockshutt
Mary lived a fascinating life, and it was so great that Doug was able to publish her memoir of growing up and living in Port Cunnington this past year. Warmest regards and sincere condolences to Winnie and all the extended Cunnington family. Julia & Philip
Frank & Ann Boscariol
Loved by all. Mary had a true servants heart and loads of common sense smarts.We shall miss her dearly.Frank & Ann Boscariol
Paul and Beverley Patchet
Our sincere condolences to Mary’s family. We were neightbours for only a short time in Lake of Bays, but Mary became a very good friend and we have fond memories of that time in our lives.