December 23, 1925 – December 21, 2014
Well-known and much-loved artist and volunteer, December 23, 1925 to December 21, 2014. Our mother, grandmother and great-mother passed away at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas 2 days before her 89th birthday. Mary was born in Sydney Australia to Norman and Frances Schooley, sister to John and Patricia. Mary often said that her mother was a mad Irishwoman who moved the family many times, stopping in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, finally ending up in London Ont. There Mary attended Brescia College, UWO, met her husband Nate, a young medical student, and married in 1945. They moved to Chatham and spent many rich years there, raising 5 children together in a close supportive neighbourhood. Nate and Mary believed in fostering a love of art and culture in their children, and did so at every opportunity, taking the whole family traveling, touring art galleries and museums and eating in great restaurants. Nate taught us fairness and generosity by example, and Mary creativity and compassion. When Nate retired from the Public General Hospital in Chatham, they moved to Dundas where they spent many hours exploring the Bruce Trail and conservation areas, and where Mary discovered the Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA). Mary will be sadly missed by her children Stephen (Betty) of Hamilton, Paul (Beth) of London, Andrew of Toronto, Christine (Jacquie) of Nova Scotia. Her grandchildren Jillian (Colin), Brendan, Christopher (Michelle Mann) and Michelle were very dear to her, and her great-grandchildren Grace, Ian and Claire brought her great delight in her final years. Their visits always prompted big smiles. She was predeceased by her parents, brother and sister, husband Nate, son Peter and grandson Brendan, losses which affected her deeply. In times of adversity, Mary sought refuge in her faith in God and immersed herself in her artwork. An artist from a young age, Mary worked in clay, watercolour, inks and dyes and pastels. She had many exhibitions, including a successful retrospective “Transformations” in Sept 2002 and the last major show of her work “Mary Toplack…and the world around me” in July 2010, both at the Dofasco Gallery DVSA. She received several awards and honourable mentions. She loved painting outdoors in her beloved Dundas Valley “dominated wherever one looks by the escarpment in all its moods” with several landscape artist friends. “My landscapes…are a result of direct interaction between myself and the world around me…sun, wind, insects, wildlife and lots of fresh air.” She described her abstract paintings as celebrating “ease of movement, grace, almost flight…a direct result of my battle with arthritis…I now ‘dance’ only in my work”. Mary enthusiastically promoted the arts. She was a charter member of the Thames Art Gallery Board in Chatham, wrote the weekly Arts Column for the Chatham Daily News from 1972-76, was founding member of the DVSA Alumni Association, Curator of the MUMC Gallery from 1988-96, member of the “On The Edge” environmental painters group, past president of the Hamilton Women’s Art Association, contributing member of the Carnegie Gallery, Hamilton & Region Arts Council, Central Ontario Art Association and Hamilton Artists Inc. Her contributions were acknowledged by nominations for Woman of the Year (Arts) and Dundas Citizen of the Year. She received the L’Escarbot Pin a federal award for contributions to the arts in 1992 and the first annual Carnegie Medallion in 1994. Mary spent countless hours at the DVSA, her home away from home, learning, studying and working alongside Maria Ferretti-Perrins (both of them tirelessly) on successful Art Auctions, Estate Sales and Art in the Yard. Her enthusiasm was infectious, spurring the involvement of many family members. Mary made friends wherever she went, developing warm connections in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Ireland, the Azores and beyond. Mary was a woman of great faith and lover of life-long learning. “My education is not in my background. It is a living, breathing part of my everyday life and very much in the foreground”. Her humour and wit shone through to the end. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Rose Garden, St. Joseph’s Villa and to Dr. Michael West for showing Mary much kindness and care. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Sunday December 28th from 2-4 pm & 6-8 pm. at the Cattel, Eaton & Chambers Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, December 29th at 11:30 am at ST. JOSEPH’S VILLA CHAPEL, 56 Governor’s Rd. Dundas, with a reception to follow at the Villa. Mary wanted friends and family to assemble joyously to celebrate her well-lived and long life. In lieu of flowers, Mary asked that donations be made to her beloved Dundas Valley School of Art. A celebration of her life will be held at the DVSA at a later date.
“I want to be an artist who works with her head, her heart and her hands.” Mary, you were that and more.
Mary was a good friend and inspiration to our family. Our eight daughters, especially, were drawn to her example of being a significant contributor to the fabric of the community. She was a selfless force…….for good.
Sincerely,
Vicky and Ray
So sorry for your loss. I recently lost both parents…it doesn’t matter how old they are, it leaves a huge void in our lives. I wish I had known her: she sounds like a marvellous lady.
Terry Ball
Mary was a friend and mentor and above all inspiration for the past oh so many years …
Whether showing art at Spencer Smith where Mary would chide at the Burlington location or in Hamilton where Mary would always be their just to support or later on when i moved to Mitchell to remind me there was much more to produce or taking in my work for the Dundas Valley Art School Auction or you took me in on my many trips to
MUMC …
i have missed that simple streak of purple hair and the laugh that was so infectious and the simple how have you been girl … Thank you for supporting me Mary … You will be very much missed and by your so many friends as the last time i saw you it was but a fleeting glance it is now your time to rest … love you girl …
To your son’s and daughter you were very much blessed with a most exquisite mom who could be trying and precious at the same time …
Since I first walked in to D.V.S.A. 25 years ago, Mary Toplack, with side-kick Maria Perrins, was the human face and heart of that wonderful place, and a friend to all! She will be remembered fondly by thousands. Gord and Pat
Mary will be missed by a very large number of people. She was a great artist and her work at the Dundas Valley School of art will be missed as well.
Sincerely, Pat and Bill
A warm and loving heart has stopped beating but her spirit lives on in all of us who met her. I will always remember her smile, her wit, her honesty. Mary is a role model for a life well lived.
Laura Arseneau
Our sympathies and thoughts go to all of Mary’s family, and especially to our dear friend Andrew.
Michael and Diane
We have such fond memories of your mother and your family in the old “north side” neighbourhood of Chatham. She had a rich life and touched so many. We were pleased to acquire 2 abstract pieces of her art many years ago as our small remembrance of our fortune to have known her. Sorry for your loss.
Corie & Tom Curtin
Andy, Paul and family – I was sorry to read today of the death of your mother. She sounds like she was an interesting and creative woman with an intense desire for learning – how fortunate for all of you.
My sympathy in the passing of your mother and fond memories of you in Chatham and Erieau.
Margaret O’Phee
Steve, Paul, Andrew and Christine
I will always remember your mom as someone ahead of her time
– an accomplished artist, a woman not afraid to speak up and a woman proud of her
children. Certain people enrich our lives – your mom (and dad) were
two such people for me. Thinking of all of you at this difficult time.
Joan
Betty,Steve and family, We were both saddened to read of your Mother’s passing in the news paper. Please convey our condolences to your family Steve. We will be down to see you hopefully soon. Take care and know other’s are thinking of you at this difficult time. Give us a call when you are up to it, or we will be in contact with you. Bob and Judy, Brent and Ange and family.
So sorry Chris to hear about the loss of your Mother. Please give my condolences to the family & to Jacquie .She sounded like an amazing & talented woman. I remember how you told me stories about her when you stayed in Halifax. Thinking of you all at this time. Love Helga
We were always delighted when Chris shared Mary with us on her trips to Nova Scotia. Her visits were filled with laughter, from the sublime to the ridiculous and the full spectrum,- shades, tints, and tones in between. We loved the ardor with which you lived your life, full tho the hilt, Mary, and we will miss that very much.
Love Andrea, Elaine and Margaret.
Andy and Christine:
My sincere condolences to you and your family on the death of your mother.
Maureen
Mary was the beating heart of DVSA for so many years – a friendly, positive, tireless supporter of the school and the artists she came in contact with. Her joie de vivre and openness were a great inspiration to me. I look at her paintings on my walls and once again hear her voice and see that saucy purple streak in her white hair. She lives on.
Paul and Beth, I was so sorry to read of your loss. Your mother obviously had a very colourful life and you must miss her terribly. Please take comfort in the fact that many of us are thinking of you and sending love your way. Donna
Our sympathies and thoughts go out to you. Many fond memories Andy and Paul of good times had during our earlier years in Chatham. So sorry for your loss.
Dave & Debbie
Condolences to the Toplack Family. Mary once made a charcoal drawing of my grandmother from a picture while I was in high school. My mother cherished this drawing. Today it hangs in my room. A small gesture by Mary that meant so much to my mother.
To the family, especially Steve, Betty, Colin, Jillian, Grace, Ian, and Clare, Ian and I send our deepest sympathy to you at this time. It is always hard when someone you love dies. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Paul and Beth: I was so sorry to hear of your sad loss. I do recall your Mom very well. And very fondly. She was a remarkably talented, creative and special woman.
Sincere condolences to all your family.
With love, Patricia
F
Mary was such a wonderful artist. She came to our house in New Jersey & we had a wonderful time.
Jeffrey Beuglet
Betty, Steve and family….I am so sorry for your loss…Mary was an inspiration and delight to know…. I know how much care and love you gave her over the years….The grandchildren and great grandchildren filled her with joy and you ensured that she had those pleasures. Through your generosity of spirit she lived a full life to the end. You will have so many great memories…as she would like….
I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss of such a great lady. Mary was such a warm and charming soul …her smile and quick wit will be sorely missed as will her wonderful creative contributions. Rest easy my friend you have left this world a better place for having known you.
Please accept my condolences.
I was so sad to hear about Mary’s passing.
She was a great inspiration to me.
Gracious, whimsical, insightful and fun, I will miss knowing she is out there being creative.
In sympathy,
Nonni Iler
What a wonderful person and artist Mary was. She always inspired me to be creative and she always made me smile. I just took down my Christmas tree yesterday and packed away for another year the four paper angels she made at least 20 years ago! I think of her every year when I put them on my tree and again when I take it down. I didn’t realize she had passed away until about 3 hours after her Funeral; I would have been there otherwise. She will be missed by so many people here in the Dundas area.