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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
ADAMSON, Mary (née OWEN) - Our bright light and great leader Mary Adamson Owen died on November 15 in Perth, Ontario. She was 99. Mary grew up a proud resident of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, where her father ran the Lake Shore goldmine, and Mary found as many friends and adventures as she could. Her zest for connection and a wonderful time would follow her all her life.
During the war, Mary left Kirkland Lake for Waterford, Ontario, serving as a Farmerette with her high school friends. In 1944, she joined the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), fondly known as the WRENS. After learning Morse code in Ste. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Mary was sent on a secret mission in East Baccaro, Nova Scotia. There she helped monitor a long-range navigation (LORAN) installation that sent private signals to Allied ships and planes. Her work was considered crucial to the war effort, and her fellow WRENS would become her lifelong friends.
In her next life, Mary planned to study finance and help people manage their money. This time around, she attended North Bay’s “Normal School,” where she trained to become a schoolteacher. In Glenburnie, Ontario, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse before she met her first husband Bob and raised their three children.
Mary often spoke of the renaissance she went through after her divorce. Her 50-something transformation saw her come into herself and become a successful career woman. During this chapter, she met the singular Howard Owen, one of the few people who could match her curiosity and charisma. The popular pair settled in Boonton, New Jersey, where they ran the thriving photography business, Studio Associates. They retired to the metropolis of Perth, Ontario, constantly hosting family and friends at their riverside home.
Mary loved to say, “It’s hell to be popular,” but no one adored a visit or celebration more than she did. Mary’s final transformation would occur when she transitioned from her Drummond Street home to long-term care at Lanark Lifestyles. Though this came with some adjustment and loss, Mary amazed everyone with her continued sense of wonder and ability to make a new friend every five minutes. “I’m learning so much,” she said, “and I feel like I’m helping people as they’re helping me.” Personal support workers would arrive in her room in tears over some heartbreak or conundrum, finishing their shift with the solace you could only get from a good cry with Mary Owen. There was no shortage of good cries in these last few years, and some days were harder than others.
Looking back on her life, Mary considered her greatest accomplishment to be her loving family, who stuck together, even when they drove each other nuts. She delighted in her seven grandchildren, ending each visit or phone call with, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” which meant they had plenty of options.
Known for her vivacious sense of humour and the twinkle in her eye, Mary left a sparkle and a story wherever she went. She will be deeply missed by her children Sue, Valerie, and John; her dear brother Ian and sister-in-law Val; grandchildren—Andrew, Alex, Taes, Erica, Jennifer, Jeffery, and Caitlin; great-grandchildren—Jackson, Charlotte, Nolan, Robbie, Will, Sommer, Daphne, and Grant; daughter-in-law Jane Withey and bonus grandchildren Janine and Kieran; stepson Douglas Owen and family; as well as nieces, nephews, countless friends, and caregivers. Mary is predeceased by her parents John and Mary Adamson, her dear nephew John Adamson, and her beloved husband Howard Owen.
In her eighties, Mary braved writer’s block and computers to publish a generous memoir, complete with her family history and beautiful photos. Among the closing quotes, we find words that Mary always lived by: “Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we may as well dance.” We may as well dance, laugh, sing, and shed a few tears while we’re at it. We love you, Mary. It’s been a great party.
The family would like to thank these two organizations, as well as the Lanark Lifestyles team and Dr. Cunniffe. We are lucky we can savour Mary’s memory and stories through the Crestwood Oral History Project, this CBC interview about her navy service, and on her granddaughter Erica’s podcast, This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life.
A celebration of life will be held at St James Anglican Church, 12 Harvey Street (front entrance on Drummond), Perth, Ontario on Friday, December 12 at 2 PM in Perth, Ontario. All are also welcome to an additional service on Tuesday, December 23 at the Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke, Ontario at 11AM.
In lieu of flowers, loved ones are asked to consider donating to The Perth Civitan: Medical Bank, the Perth Legion Branch 244, or to a charity of their choice in memory of Mary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Blair and Son Funeral Home, Perth. (Blair and Son Funeral Directors)
Gary J Smith posted a condolence Thursday, December 11, 2025
I entered Mary's world nine years ago when she turned ninety. What a stimulating ride it was. Mary read the Globe and Mail and watched the television news almost every day until the very end. She was always up to date on events beyond her own back yard and had something to say about most of it, employing her penetrating and sparkling wit. Her letter to the editor, published by the Globe and Mail earlier this year, was an avid testament as she wrote about standing up to the Nazi's in WWII and being ready to stand up again this time against Donald Trump's threats to Canada. It didn't take much to prompt Mary's colourful memories of growing up in Kirkland Lake. The prosperity of the gold mines during the tough depression days; the fabulous wealth of Sir Harry Oakes; the local hockey players she knew who stared in the NHL - Ted Lindsay, Dick Duff, Bill Durnan, Ralph Backstrom, the Plager brothers- all of whom gave the town the nickname of "Hockey Lake".
Mary had the skill and fortitude to record her life story in book form, and it contained many tales which lead to stimulating conversation. I was privileged to spend considerable time with Mary during her last month during which she did what she loved most- being with family who came from far and wide to visit her; cheering on the Toronto Blue Jay in their memorable World Series run, taking the microphone to speak to a film audience about her time as an Ontario farmerette when she left Kirkland Lake with other 17-18 year old high school girls to pick the crops in south western Ontario as part of the war effort, and standing beside her as she attended Remembrance Day services at Lanark Life Styles proudly resplendent with poppy and her Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WREN) hat and badge. On that near final day she rose from her wheelchair for the two minutes of silence and then stood again to sing O' Canada.
Thanks for the time together, Mary. I wouldn't forget you.
God speed.
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