Mary Ann McNamara (Seemann) June 17, 1926 – February 13, 2021
It is with sadness and solace that we share the passing of Mary Ann at the age of 94 at St. Joseph’s Villa, Dundas, Ontario. She was a long time resident of Hamilton, Ontario enjoying her retirement years in Dundas, Ontario at St. Joseph’s Estates Condominiums with her loving and faithful companion of 67 years, her late husband Michael (Al).
She was also predeceased by her parents Benedict and Ann Seemann (Miller), brothers Charles Seemann (Jean) and Peter Seemann, sister Helen Seemann, son Brian Peter McNamara, daughter Teresa Pataracchia, brothers in law Jack McNamara and Michael Boyle. Survived and fondly remembered by her children Michael (Christina), Ann Marie (Alan Humphrey), Maureen Hubert(Glen), Paul (Tammy), Colleen Sayer (Christopher); son-in-law John Pataracchia (Diana); grandchildren Rachel, Angela (Fidel), Michael (Megan), John, Jason, Danny, Christopher (Ali), Benjamin, Alex (Candace), Caleb, Stephanie and Aaron; great-grandchildren Jade (Darren), Jordyn, Jazmine, Jewell, Sebastian; sisters-in-law Mary Boyle and Helen McNamara, Aunt Halvetta Kelly; cousin families, in-law families, godchildren, many nieces, nephews and their families, friends and neighbours.
Mary Ann was proud of her Prairie and Canadian Heritage. She developed the values of family connection, community spirit and hard work from her early years living on a Prairie farm in Mazenod, Saskatchewan. With a positive, determined outlook on life and a sense of humour she raised the spirits of those around her.
She came to Ontario for her education in Nursing and settled in Hamilton to marry Michael (Al) and raise their family. She was a kind, caring, resilient woman devoted to her family and supporting others. The doors at her home were always open, welcoming and full of life, sharing with everyone her stories and wisdom.
As a nurse Mary Ann was a champion for those with mental health issues and passionate about preserving the history of mental health care and nursing.
Following over 40 years of nursing in various roles at the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital she continued as a volunteer at the now St. Joseph’s Healthcare West 5th Campus in the Hamilton Museum of Mental Health Care. She enjoyed many lifelong friendships through the nursing alumni, Quarter century club, volunteering and the community at large. She supported the needs of women and children through her volunteer work with the former Quota Club Hamilton.
Mary Ann was a parishioner of both Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Augustine’s churches in her lifetime and was a member in the Catholic Women’s League. Much spiritual comfort was found in the guidance her spiritually, prayers and church communities gave her.
It was an honor for her to have received the recognition awards given by The Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton Mission Legacy, The Hamilton Wentworth Heritage Association, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Volunteer Association and Quota Club.
Her works of art included many sewing, crafting, cooking and baking projects all made with love and shared with family, friends and community. She enjoyed the outdoors and adventure through a love for gardening, camping, fishing and travel.
A debt of gratitude is recognized for Gerset her loving, loyal caregiver. With Gerset at the helm of Mary Ann’s wheelchair they were often seen adventurously wheeling about the town of Dundas. In appreciation to Sharon, Elaine and Iris for your attentive caregiving.
Thank you to Dr. Shankardass, the staff of Willow Grove, Father Mike and the community of St. Joseph’s Villa. Your dedication and heartfelt caring will always be remembered. God bless you for the work you do every day during these pandemic times. She enjoyed the friendships with the residents at the Villa. She had a good home at the Villa to live out the final chapter of her life. Also a note of gratitude for the ongoing care of the many heath care services in the community. Your wonderful and supportive care gave her comfort and stability in her senior years.
Mary Ann will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community. May we always feel the flutter of her angel wings in our hearts. Be at peace Mary Ann. Your work here is done!
Due to the pandemic a private family visitation and mass will be held at this time with cremation following. Internment and a celebration of life will be at a later time. The mass will be held at 2p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021 and can be viewed on the funeral home’s website.
If desired, donations can be made in her memory to the Good Shepherd, Mission Services, Salvation Army, St. Augustine’s Church (Dundas), or The St. Joseph’s Villa Foundation.
To view the livestream: https://youtu.be/DkuPYlC38Yw
Dear Michael & Christina, Rachel, Angela and Fidel, Michael and Megan, and John,
AnnMarie & Alan, Maureen & Glenn, Paul & Tammy, Colleen & Christopher, John & Diana, and your families.
On behalf of the Peshko families we would like to send our deepest condolences to all of you on the loss of your mom/grandma and our dear family friend MaryAnn. Over the past 43 years of knowing the McNamara family as a very big part of ours, we hold so many beautiful fond memories of all of you sharing in joy and In sorrow.
Mary Ann and Al will forever be in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. God Bless you all.
In our hearts, Marge Peshko
Rosalie and Larry Labiuk, Michael and Diana Peshko, Margaret and Ed Boyce and their families.
Please accept our sincere condolences on passing of Maryann, she was a great teacher , and personality, we will surely miss her at family gatherings, Jim &Mary McGurk
Just wanted to let you know how sorry we are, to hear about the passing of MaryAnn. She was an amazing women. I always loved speaking to her and visiting with her at the family picnic. All of their generation are together again in Heaven.
Our sincere condolences to the McNamara family. Mary Ann was a leader in mental health education and influenced me in continuing on in my career in the mental health field. We often connected at McGurk family functions to talk about the latest updates in mental health. She made a significant contribution to those so disadvantaged with mental illness and the history of the past at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital. I have fond memories of her. I know her daughter Ann Marie was of great support to her. RIP Terry and wife Cass McGurk
My sincere condolences to The McNamara family. Mrs McNamara was always a kind and generous lady. I have known her since I was a little girl as I grew up on East 28th and spent many hours with her daughter Teresa (R.I.P).
So inspired by all that Mary Ann accomplished in her lifetime. I feel very fortunate to have chatted with her, not too long ago, on one of her visits to the gallery with her caretaker. She will be fondly remembered. Condolences to the entire family. xo
Our sincerest sympathies at the loss of our dear cousin, Mary Ann. We have many fond memories of the MacNamaras which include : visiting with Mary Ann and Al in their home, seeing them at Seemann Reunions, meeting each other at the McGurk picnics and celebrating special occasions together. Mary Ann had that special knack that people who were born out West have of showing hospitality to visitors and making guests feel welcome. My earliest memory of Mary Ann goes back to 1950, when I was 5 years old. My parents sent me to Mazenod to spend the summer with my mom’s aunt and uncle, Billy and Ida Seemann. Mary Ann volunteered to accompany this little 5 year old kid on the train to Saskatchewan. Her sister Helen accompanied me back home. May Mary Ann rest in peace. God bless. Dan And Anne Smith
Mrs. McNamara was such a humble, unassuming and unflappable lady. She certainly was ahead of her time and surely has left her children and grandchildren with much inspiration and many wonderful memories.
She probably had no idea how many she inspired with her kindness and generosity.
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of MaryAnn, a warm and caring matriarch. May she now Rest In Peace. The Labadia family.