Mary Therese Waters (née Ferren)

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Therese at the age of 85, on Monday June 19, 2023.

A loving and devoted wife to John (Jack) Waters for 65 beautiful years. Cherished and devoted mom to Shaun (Mary), Michael (Christine), Teresa (Tim), Denise (Henry), Robert (Eleanor)

Very much loved Grandmother to Ben (Carol), Samantha (Jeff), Jennifer (AJ), Joey, Mike (Maxine), Jon, Chris (Michelle), Greg, Katrina (Kevin), Josh, Casey (Jon), Kelleigh, Sydney and Adelaide

Adored great grandmother to Parker, Charlie, Humphrey, Felix, Zander, Ryan, Oscar, Angel, Salomon, Penny, Theo and Etta.

Beloved daughter of Pre-deceased Ernest Levi Ferren, WW1 Veteran and Teresa Pearson, School Teacher of the Kinmount, Ontario area and the nearby Galway Road.

Cherished sister to Joe (Molly), Bernard (Elaine) and Faye.

Pre-deceased siblings, Elizabeth, Jack, Ken, Audrey, Ann, Clarke and Peter.

Mary’s greatest joy was her family and she was ours.  We were blessed with a beautiful, strong, funny and kind wife and mom.  Mom was the glue to our family and the reason today that we are who we are.

She was the best of the best and will be deeply missed but we are comforted by knowing that the phone line to heaven is always open.

Special thanks to the wonderful and compassionate care by the staff at Madonna Home and in her last weeks at St. Patrick’s home.

A very special thank you to Mom’s Friend Companion Lucia who helped to make Mom’s final weeks, fun and happy.  We will be forever grateful to her.

Mom’s last outing was in the garden and Lucia captured the moment.

Not only beautiful, Mary was a talented, resourceful and courageous Air Force wife and helpmate to Jack, a Jet pilot and later a senior administrator and Commanding Officer.

She raised and guided their family of five in duty locations in western, central and eastern Canada as well as in France, Germany and the USA and, as well, accompanied and assisted Jack on an eight month special College assignment in England. Proud of her Irish heritage, she, with Jack, visited the Green Fields of Ireland, kissed the Blarney Stone, travelled the Ring of Kerry and visited the Dingle.

Mary served excellently as Jack’s advisor and hostess in social matters in diplomatic situations with visiting foreign military diplomats. And near the end of their Air Force careers she performed as an official member of the Canadian Forces College faculty in social functions. Always charming and witty, she indeed served Canada well, while at the same time, caring for and guiding her large and ever growing family as Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. And ….she loved dearly their many family pets!

Funeral for Mary will take place on August, 9, 2023 at Beechwood Cemetery.

280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, ON K1L 8A6

Pre- service gathering at 12 noon

Liturgy of the word - 1pm (Register here for livestream)

Graveside ceremony - 2 pm

Reception 2:30 to 4:30 (a time to share memories, tears, hugs, laughter for beloved and greatly missed Mary, Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and friend to many).

In Memory of Mary / Mom the family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa Foundation.

Hail Mary, full of Grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou

Among women,

And blessed is the fruit,

of  thy womb, Jesus

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now,

and at the hour of our death.

Amen