Mary Ellen (McCallum) Bradshaw

BRADSHAW, Mary Ellen (nee McCallum)

(March 1, 1935—August 13, 2023)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Ellen Bradshaw. Mary passed peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by family.

Mary is predeceased by her husband Stanley Vernon Bradshaw (2005) and her brother John McCallum (2003). Mary is survived by daughters Michele Simpson (Glenn) and Lee Vukson (Donald). She is also survived by granddaughters Nicole Bradshaw, Rachel Dodson (Paul), and Paige Colalillo (Matthew) and great grandchildren Riley, Jace, Mateo (and baby Aspen arriving in October 2023).

Mary was born in Detroit, Michigan and eventually settled in Toronto as a young child. She attended Leaside High School and spent her summers working in Muskoka. After a lengthy illness, Mary’s mother, Irene McCallum, passed when Mary was 16 years old. Mary took on this additional role of attending to her younger brother while her father, Frank McCallum was travelling extensively for his job. Upon finishing teachers’ college in Toronto, she agreed to take a one-year posting in Huntsville where she met Stan. They married in Toronto but made Huntsville their home and Mary worked another 33 years as a teacher/librarian at Huntsville Public School. Mary was passionate about her job until the day she retired! She took her mentor role very seriously and her students loved and respected her. Mary was very involved with the Huntsville Hospital and assumed the role of president of the Hospital Auxiliary for a number of years. Mary loved parties and celebrations and looked forward to sewing elaborate Halloween costumes for Michele and Lee every year. She also threw big birthday parties for her girls and made sure everyone in the class was invited!

Mary was not only passionate about her job, she was passionate about her summers on the lake! Stan (with Grandpa Lane’s help) built a cottage on Fox Lake and the family made many wonderful memories there. Skiing and boating weekends with Mary’s best friend from high school, Nancy and her large family also provided much joy and laughter.

Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in her early fifties. This condition never got in the way of living life to the fullest. She and Stan continued to throw parties and travel the world. Her positive attitude and determination inspired anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Mary was a strong woman. She was generous to a fault and lived her life with integrity. Mary was an avid reader her entire life, and enjoyed listening to Audible in the later years. She had a sharp, sarcastic wit until the end.

Thank you to the exceptional staff at Sara Vista long-term care home in Elmvale. Their care and compassion is unparalleled. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making Mary feel loved and cared for.

A private service for immediate family will be held. Interment will follow with Mary joining her beloved Stan at All Saint’s Cemetery, Huntsville. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca) in lieu of flowers.