Mary Coltart Obituary - Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario | Morgan Funeral Home
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Mary Coltart
In Memory of
Mary
Coltart
2018
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Life Story for Mary Coltart

Mary  Coltart
Coltart, Mary
Mary was born by the North Sea near Aberdeen, Scotland in 1921 with bonnie songs and limericks in her heart. At the age of 18 she enlisted as a private in the army and served as a spotter of German war planes in Wales during "WWII: The Big One.” She fondly remembered a treasured pair of silk stockings, nights out with the girls and the odds of being one of only eight women among more than 2,000 men.
In 1955, Mary left her home in Carnoustie, Scotland and boarded a ship to Canada with her husband and three young children headed for Ravenscrag, Saskatchewan. It was a brutal first winter and an adventurous year in that farmhouse on the prairies complete with an outhouse, chicken coop and the weekly anticipation of a train carrying supplies from Eaton’s catalogue. Always one to make the best of things, she was known there as “Mary with the Merry Eyes” and lived decades more with that same sparkle.
The following year — and with one more child in tow — Mary and her family arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She was drawn to the area because of her love of water and winked at the irony that she never learned to swim. As her children grew older Mary worked several jobs, including seamstress during the early years of The Shaw Festival, where she sewed the first red velvet curtain ever to rise on the theatre company’s stage.
In 1962, Mary became hostess at The Oban Inn and a legend was born. Whether she was setting tables in the dining room, arranging flowers from the garden, baking in the kitchen or making beds with the chamber maids, Mary moved fast and only truly loved those who could keep up. She liked uniforms to look smart, food to be served hot and good manners almost as much as a good laugh. She was friends with her houseguests and doted on those who came back year after year. Mary became the heart and soul of the hotel and bar, where she sat in her usual spot for lunch every day sassing the bartenders and greeting people with her cheeky grin and Scottish wit. She never forgot a face and rarely remembered a name. Mary loved the naughty as much as the nice, maybe even more. She loved to have her hair done, savour a good martini and enjoy cream in her coffee while finishing the crossword. A lifelong fan of the royal family, she died just three years short of receiving a centennial letter from The Queen, but recently confessed she would have preferred it to come from “Charlie” anyway. Mary died peacefully March 13 at Upper Canada Lodge where she continued to bring her sparkle to nurses and staff, who lovingly tolerated her boisterous spirit even when she referred to them as waitresses and bartenders.
Mary is remembered by her children John (deceased), Rosamund (David), Susan and George; grandchildren Christine (Dan), Tanis and Kate; Great grandchildren Laken and Nathaniel; treasured by son-in-law David Hennessey; adored by the Burroughs Family: Gary, Sarah, Alex (Joel), Josie (David), Isabella, Baz, Anthony and Nathan. Warmly remembered by nieces Rita Saunders and Helen Jardine - Scotland; nephews Gavin Poolman - London UK and John Poolman and family - Toronto. The family is indebted to Dr. Karen Berti and the wonderful staff at UCL.
A funeral will be held at St. Mark’s Church Niagara-on-the-Lake Saturday March 24 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, have drinks with friends in Mary’s honour or consider a gift to Upper Canada Lodge Auxiliary.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
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