CARROLL, Mary Margaret (nee Hickey)– Passed away peacefully at home in Ottawa on February 24, 2009, with her husband Lawrence of 45 years, children Larry, Lisa and Steven and her loving and dedicated siblings at her side. Mary was born at Argentia, Newfoundland, the fifth of 13 children of Ronald and Rita Hickey. She spent her formative years in Freshwater, Placentia where she attended Holy Rosary High School. After graduation she attended Littledale and Memorial University in St. John’s. She attended Teacher’s College before beginning her teaching career at Mercy Convent, St. John’s. In 1967 with her husband and son Larry she left Newfoundland to reside in Kingston, Ontario, where she resumed her teaching career with the Kingston Separate School Board teaching high school at Regiopolis and Holy Cross. While teaching, Mary found time to have two more children, Lisa and Steven as well as obtain her principal certification and her Masters Degree in Education from Queen’s University.
Always an outspoken and caring advocate for at-risk students she founded the Loyola Community Learning Centre in 1987 and became its first principal. Her work and dedication to the needs of the students at this institute was the total focus of her education career, Mary retired in 1990 to pursue interests in international education.
Mary was always a champion of individual as well as women’s rights. She devoted a great deal of her retirement helping those in need, the homeless and the elderly. While engaged in her career she always found the time to be truly devoted to her husband and their children and remained so until her death.
She leaves to mourn her husband Lawrence, son Larry (Sophie), daughter Lisa (Jeremy) and son Steven (Melanie); grandsons Joshua, Liam, Jacob, Jonah and Zachary, four brothers, four sisters and their spouses.
As Newfoundlanders do, Mary’s siblings rallied around her in Ottawa to assist and comfort her on her journey.
She will leave a void in the hearts of her family and friends but she will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace.
Special thanks to Doctors Jonker, Perry and their staff at the Cancer Center as well as the many nurses and comfort workers who assisted Mary.
Visitation was held at Hulse Playfair McGarry Funeral Home, Ottawa, on February 26, 2009. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Donations may be made to the Ottawa Branch of At-Home Hospice, We Care Home Health Services and Carefor Health & Community Services to assist in their dedicated work. Mass in Mary’s honor would also be appreciated.