February 19th, 1928 - June 21st, 2022
Mary (Marie) Margaret Koster (nee Hamilton) left us on Tuesday June 21, 2022, at Scarborough General Hospital at the age of 94.
Predeceased by her devoted husband and soul mate of 69 years Earl (2017) and two of her cherished sons, Michael (2018) and Paul (2013).
Left behind are her heart-broken children Steve (Lucia), Joe (Pam), Phil (Andrea), Bruce (Bianca), Marie, Anne, and Louise (Mike). Mom will also be missed by her 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Mom, who usually went by Marie, was born on February 19, 1928 in Scarborough, Ontario, where she lived for the first 19 years of her life in a loving family home. One day, while at a party, she met a dashing young air force veteran and the rest, as they say, is history.
Married to Earl on September 22, 1947, a dynasty began. Over the course of two decades, Mom gave the world nine healthy and happy children with the six boys coming first, followed by three girls.
Mom was the original “Power Mom” raising their large brood, during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. Imagine the assembly line of lunches Mom had to prepare every week, as well as the loads of laundry to do and messes to clean up. Despite the challenges, Mom made it look easy to keep a clean house and feed her family healthy and tasty meals, with a dessert after every supper. Her butter tarts were legendary.
Mom always made sure that each of her children felt special and received the attention we demanded. She liked to hang out with her kids, and got to know and love all the latest music, from the Beatles to Bowie to New Wave. Mom could be as silly and fun as the rest of us, and her good nature and wonderful sense of humour carried through for her entire life. She was wise and always available to give us advice to help us on our way to independence.
Once Mom and Dad became empty-nesters, they retired to Waterloo before settling in Elora, Ontario where they lived for 20 years, making a new set of friends and enjoying small town life. They enjoyed travelling all over North America, Britain, Europe, China, and had their trip of a lifetime to New Zealand.
Mom liked to entertain and enjoyed hosting family gatherings well into her 80’s. Eventually Mom and Dad relocated to a lovely retirement home in Guelph, then finally to Ajax, Ontario. After Dad passed away in 2017 Mom moved to Abbeylawn Retirement Home in Pickering where she was much loved by the caring staff.
Unfortunately, this past Sunday Mom had a fall and an injury that required surgery. The night before the scheduled operation, Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was the last member of our family from the Greatest Generation.
Mom, we love you lots and will miss you more than words can say. We are comforted knowing that you had the long, happy life that you deserved and are now with Dad, Mike and Paul, and all of our other loved ones who have gone before you. Rest in peace sweet Mom.
Visitation will be held on Monday June 27, 2022 from 11am-1pm at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home in Fergus. Funeral Service to follow at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Elora, with burial at St. Mary/St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery in Elora. Family and friends are invited back to the Funeral Home following burial for a reception of refreshments and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary Immaculate, or to a charity of your choice, and are greatly appreciated by the family.
