Mary Elizabeth Robertson was born on May 25, 1934 in Syndham Township to parents Leslie and Elizabeth (McKay) Robertson. Mary was welcomed by her older sister Jean, and David and Alec followed her to complete their family. Mary’s family lived on a mixed farm in Syndham Township with cattle, pigs and horses. Mary enjoyed spending time in the horse pen and apparently the horses would follow Mary around the farm. She would ride one of her favourite horses, Kate, to the Syndham SS #11 Schoolhouse that her and her siblings attended which was a mile away from her family home. Once she would get off the horse at school, it would find its way home and be back at the school to pick Mary up at the end of the day. Nothing like a bond between a young girl and her horse!
After finishing Grade 8, Mary attended Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute (O.S.C.V.I.) and graduated from Grade 12 there. While she was in high school, she worked as a waitress at Woolworths. After graduating, she worked at a print company in Owen Sound where she boarded with a family so that she could work.
In Mary’s spare time, she would attend local dances with her friends. At one specific dance at the Bognor Hall, she ran into two ladies that she had met at dances prior and with them was a handsome young gentleman by the name of Orval Kalinowski. Orval attended the dance with his two nieces who had the intent of introducing him to Mary, and they hit it off instantly. They dated for three years before getting married on October 22, 1955 at Walter’s Falls Church. Not long after they got married, they moved in with Orval’s parents, Louis and Mary Kalinowski, and there they welcomed their first son John in 1956, followed by Beth in 1958, Debbie in 1960, Linda in 1962 and finally Louis in 1974.
As a young couple with five young children, they bought Orval’s parents farm outside of Desboro. On the farm, they had a wide range of animals. They had cattle, pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, and the occasional barn cat. When Orval’s mother lived with them to help with the children, Mary would typically be outside doing the many chores that needed to be completed. She had a vegetable garden that was a necessity, and a flower garden that was just for her. Once Orval’s mother had passed, Mary had to take on the job of cooking and cleaning on top of her duties on the farm. This was a lot for her to take on while raising five children. However, I am told that she never got mad at her children, and if she did, she hid it very well and was always concerned for their wellbeing more than anything. When she had the time, she would work in the tobacco fields in the summer with Orval, and pick apples in the fall, taking any job she could to provide for her family. Mary worked at the Chesley Motel in the mid 1960’s and delivered mail in the early 1970’s. In 1979, Mary took a job with Red Cross as a homemaker. She would go into people’s homes and help them with cooking, cleaning, bathing, and other jobs that were needed done. She did this until she retired at 68 years old.
The most important thing in Mary’s life was her family. Nothing brought her more joy than when her family was all together. Mary loved her children, and her love grew even more when her grandchildren were born. Her and Orval would pick up their grandchildren after school, without the knowledge of their parents, just so that they could spend more time with them. Mary was so proud of all her grandchildren and would do anything to see them smile. She loved all her many memories with Orval and others in their community, if that was attending the dance club in Kilsyth every Wednesday night, helping with the local fall fair, or cooking for the community dinners. Mary loved spending time in her flower garden. She always had the most perfect garden and loved every flower of every colour. She enjoyed listening to a wide range of music between country, waltz and many different hymns.
If you could use any word to describe Mary, it would be nurturing. She was always putting the needs of others before herself and was always making herself available to help. Mary was always busy, but she never complained. She was kind to everyone she met and would make everyone feel so special. Mary was continually happy and always had a contagious smile and a calming presence. In the last five years her health was declining and in the last few days of her life, she still had a smile on her face at Chapman House in Owen Sound. Sadly, she passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022, in her 88th year.
Beloved wife of Orval. Loving mother of John (Cheryl) of Trenton, Beth (Ray) Gendron of Owen Sound, Debbie (Mike Evesan) of Corrunna, Linda (Ed) Price of Edmonton, Alberta, and Louis (Amy) of R.R. #2 Desboro. Cherished grandmother of 9 and great grandmother of 11. Dear sister of David Robertson of Owen Sound and Alec Robertson of Grand Prairie, Alberta. She was predeceased by her sister Jean Steer and her parents Leslie and Elizabeth (McKay) Robertson.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Thursday, March 10, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Lutheran Church of Our Saviors in Owen Sound on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. All are welcome to the visitation and funeral service! The funeral service for Mary will be livestreamed through Zoom at service time and the service will be recorded and available to view on the funeral home website in the days following. Masks are mandatory. Spring interment in Desboro Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I will always remember Mary’s smiling face in church.
A kind and gentle soul.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Hugs to family in loss of your wife and mother. Cherish the memories
We are deeply saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a kind, gentle soul whose endearing cheerfulness was an inspiration to us all. We have many, many happy memories growing up with the Kalinowski’s and visiting Orval and Mary’s bustling farm.
Our mother, Audrey Walker, was very sad to hear she had lost a lifelong friend.
Mary will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and love go out to Orval and their family.
The Walker Family
Sorry to hear of your loss Orville. We will miss her smiling face. Hope to see you soon.
Please accept my deepest condolences during this very difficult time. I have so many happy memories of your Mom as she came and cared for and supported my Mom-Molly, who called her friend. Please know I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
John Beth Debbie Linda and Louis – so sorry to hear of your moms passing. Your mom was so kind, quiet and living if all. It was a pleasure growing up in the same neighbourhood!!!
My Sympathy to Orval and all the family in the loss of your dear wife , mother and grandma. I will always remember Mary for her kind and gentle personality, always thinking of others. She will be missed.
Our sincerest condolences to Orval and family. So sorry for your loss.
My condolences to Orville, Louis, Amy and family.
We will miss Mary for her calm quiet, for her sage advice that often began with “Well I don’t know, but..” and for her unearthly patience. God has truly called one of his angels home and through our sorrow we should remember that Mary is now experiencing profound joy.
Keeping you close in caring thoughts and prayers during this difficult time
Orval, John, Beth, Debbie, Linda, Lou and your families. Senidng my deepest sympathy to you all at this difficult time. Mary always took time for her family, friends and everyone she met. Her kind, gentle, hard working nature was truly a role model to many. May you hold your precious memories of her in your heart.
My sincere sympathy to Orville and family.Mary will certainly be missed and especially her smile
My condolences. Will miss Mary
Our sympathy to Orval and family, Mary was a wonderful woman, I knew Mary from Chesley, also from Bognor, she was raised not too far from my mom and dad’s farm.
She will be missed, hold close to your memories.
Our condolences to the Kalinowski family. Mary was a wonderful lady always had time for everyone
Lou,Amy and family.
Very saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. I had the privilege of meeting her a few times and she was such a gem. Her love of her family was evident
So pleasant and loving. When someone imagines what the perfect grandma would be, Mary comes to mind. You were blessed
Sorry for your loss. Marry was a wonderful person. Always had time to stop and chat. The flower gardens at the apartment in Chesley were absolutely eye pleasing.
Our condolences for your loss Orville and family in the loss of your wife, Mother, Grandmother and great grandmother, Mary..a very lovely woman, always smiling and her kindness in everything she did…had a huge heart for her family and friends, she will be missed..
Sorry for your loss.
Mary was one of the best
Lady’s around always smiling. She will be missed 😢
So sorry for your loss, hold all you memories close!
My sincere condolences to the family of Mary Kalinowski.
Our condolences to Orval and all families. Mary was the sweet lady wit the biggest smile . Wonder neighbor from where we lived. Herb and Catherine. Plus our son Dorian .
My deepest condolence’s Orval and family at this very sad time. Mary was a lovely lady who always had time to stop and chat when we would see each other. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Orville and Family
I am so sad to read that Mary passed away. She was the best neighbour and such a kind hearted lady and she will be dearly missed by all. We were sad when they moved to Owen Sound and unfortunately we lost touch with them.
Our deepest sympathies to you all.
RIP Mary xoxo
So Sorry to hear the passing of your Mom she was a wonderful lady,always happy may the lord give you comfort at this sad time
Thinking of you Orval and family at this difficult time. Was always great to have a chat with Mary whenever our paths would cross. Cherish the memories.
Sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss, Cherish your memories always
John & I are so sorry for your loss. We had the pleasure of meeting Mary at Christina’s wedding, she was a beautiful and kind woman. Our heart goes out to all of the family.
Our Deepest Sympathy Orval and Family. Mary was a warm and gentle lady. She will be dearly missed by all.
Orval, Louis and Amy my sympathy to you in Mary’s passing. Mary was a kind, sweet and gentle person who was eager to help others. Take care of yourselves in this difficult time.
Hugs to you all. Dad talked often of your parents. Take care
We are so sorry for the loss of Mary. She was a lovely lady and will be missed by many.our thoughts and prayers are with the family.❤️
Our heartfelt condolences to you, Orval, and your family during this time of sorrow. You are all in our thoughts and prayers .
Mary was a sweet and kind person that loved to help in our community. Hang onto those lovely memories you all have of her adding to each of your lives. Blessings.
Mary was a very kind and lovely lady and she will be greatly missed by her family. Mary was a long time member and director of our society and we will miss seeing her at our fall fair events. Sending our deepest sympathy to Orval and all of the family and treasure all of those great memories.
Our condolences to the Kalinowski family. Mary was a kind and gentle soul.
So very sorry for your loss Lou and Amy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lou,Amy,girls and Orval
Mary was a kind and gentle soul and always greeted us with a smile. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all during this difficult time
My Condolences to the Kalinowski Family! It was my Great pleasure in knowing and being apart of your family as I was Heather Robertson Johnston, friend and neighbour!!
Sorry to hear of your great loss Orval and family.W e have many fond memories of You and Mary. Please accept our deepest sympathy. May God bless you all.
Amy, Faith, Renee, and Lou we’re so sorry for your loss
Beth and ray and family so sorry to hear of mom passing our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Sending sincere condolences to Orval and family. So sorry for your loss.
Deepest sympathy to Orval and the family.
Our deepest sympathies to the Kalinowski family. Thinking of you all . Mary will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Lisa Wathke Butchart (George Wathke’s daughter).