Mary Gleeson

GLEESON (Whiteley), Mary Veronica

— Passed away in Brampton, Ont., on November 7, 2009, after a long and very brave battle with C.O.P.D (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Born in Halifax, September 12, 1919, Mary was a daughter of the late Veronica (Flemming) and James D. Whiteley. As a descendant of pioneer Nova Scotian families she was the last surviving member to bear the "Whiteley" of Dartmouth name. In 1937 she graduated from Mount Saint Vincent Academy, where she had also been a recipient of the Governor Generals Medal for Excellence in 1934. Until her marriage in 1941, she was employed as a secretary at Moirs Ltd. Halifax and later as a medical secretary for Dr. Caldwell and Associates in Brampton for 23 years. During her lifetime she was an active volunteer. Her Church, Canadian Girl Guides, Hospital Auxiliary, Palliative Care patients and Nursing Homes residents benefited from her skills, her thoughtfulness, kindness and gentle caring ways. She was a Past President of the C.W.L., Military Ordinate, Summerside P.E.I.; a member of the C.W.L. Saint Mary's Parish; a member of Mount Saint Vincent Alumnae, Toronto Chapter; member of the Nova Scotia Genealogical Society; Charter member of the Halton Peel Genealogical Society; Associate member of the Peel Memorial Volunteer Association, graduate of the first Palliative Care Volunteers course at Peel Memorial Hospital, active volunteer in many Long Term Care Facilities in Brampton, but most notably celebrated 10 years of volunteer service in Faith Manor at Holland Christian Homes. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy (Mrs.Gerald Leahy) 1977; her husband, Quintin John Patrick Gleeson in 1986, and most recently by her loving daughter, Colleen Elliott in 2008. Mary is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughter, Catherine Cathcart and Ralph Kralik Brampton, Ont.; son-in-law, John Elliott, Truro; grandchildren, Theresa Ferris, Guelph, Ont.; Brendan Elliott Stratford, P.E.I.; Timothy Cathcart Milton, Ont.; Gregory Cathcart, Port Coquitlam, B.C.; Sarah Cathcart Brampton, and great-grandchildren, Joshua, Izak, Selyna, Quintenn and Thomas. A celebration of Mary's life will be held on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 from 1 - 4 pm at Harmony Hall, Holland Christian Homes, 7900 McLaughlin Road, South, Brampton, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory to the Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

GLEESON