Mary Jane McKitterick, March 20, 1965 – November 7, 2023
Mary Jane McKitterick passed in the arms of her heart’s desire with her brothers also in the embrace, at The Ottawa Hospital General Campus on November 7, 2023. She is survived by her husband Matthew McGarvey, brothers Robert and John McKitterick, nephews Jacob and Charlie McKitterick, and niece Daniella McKitterick, all of Kincardine, Ontario, as well as her aunt Wendy Vent, uncles Pat (Heljo) McKitterick, Claude (Ann) Pettit and Derek (Janet)Pettit, many beloved cousins from both the Pettit and McKitterick extended families, and countless friends and colleagues. Predeceased by her parents (Margaret) Suzanne McKitterick and (Charles) Michael McKitterick.
Mary Jane was born to Suzanne and Mike in Oakville Ontario. She was joined two years later by Rob, and eight years later in Oshawa by John. The family moved to Kincardine where she was known and loved by many from Elgin Market School and K.D.S.S. who remained friends with her for her entire life. She came into her own with a love of literature and theatre, making new friends while acting in the major high school play production for three successive years. Her love of theatre continued throughout her life, with annual trips to Stratford with family and friends an ongoing tradition.
Mary Jane obtained a B.A. in Literature and History from York University, an M.A. in Literature from Concordia University, and an M.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. While in university she participated in student governance and activism, often organizing and leading the front lines during demonstrations and protests relating to progressive causes before it became fashionable.
Mary Jane was a powerful intellect and voracious reader, always wanting to learn, always challenging her own thoughts and understanding, always welcoming new topics and conversations. She often quoted Maya Angelou, “Always do the best you can until you know better. And when you know better, do better.”
During her rich and varied working career Mary Jane worked in housing at York University, with the AIDS Bureau of Ontario, taught English to youths in Japan for several years, organized a Habitat for Humanity build in Indonesia, and was a member of a peacebuilding mission in Rwanda. She returned to work in housing and with people experiencing homelessness, culminating in her role as Community Planning Manager at A Way Home Canada where she dedicated herself to systemically addressing the problem of youths experiencing homelessness. She was utterly dedicated to her work and progressive causes, with significant ongoing engagement on issues such as indigenous rights and reconciliation, diversity issues, natural gardening, and community building.
Mary Jane traveled extensively for work and pleasure, seeing much of Canada including the far north, Europe, Ireland and the UK; Egypt and the Middle East; Mexico and Central America, Japan, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Rwanda; she hiked the Annapurna Pass in Nepal, ventured on the Nile with her cousin Nancy, explored rivers, deserts, mountains, forests, cities and jungles, and traveled solo through India.
Her love of her work and travel was matched by her love of cooking with Japanese, Asian and Middle Eastern influences, as well as baking and cake decorating, and growing fresh herbs and vegetables in her natural garden.
In November 2021 Mary Jane was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Through her generosity in support of a fundraiser for men’s mental health issues, she had started communicating with Matthew, who upon hearing of the diagnosis went to Hamilton to support her and never left her side. She was his absolute love, he was her heart’s desire. Despite the onerous challenges of treatment and surgery in Hamilton, with Matthew Mary Jane discovered the wonders and beauty of the Britannia Village neighbourhood, sailing and swimming in the Ottawa River, walking and biking in the local parks and conservation area, and delighting in the food from the Parkdale outdoor market, the artisanal bakery and the ice cream café. She was immediately embraced by the neighbours, the sailing community, and all of Matthew’s friends who met her. On January 14, 2023 Mary Jane and Matthew were married in a beautiful small ceremony on a cold, sunny, crystalline winter afternoon at Britannia Yacht Club.
The day before entering hospital unexpectedly for her final days, Mary Jane bicycled 18km on her e-bike. While in hospital she diligently walked, did Tai Chi, and tried everything she could to recover from the latest sudden challenge. She was so loved by nurses that in her last days they were volunteering to work extra shifts to care for her during her last days. After exhausting and invasive treatment, she was assisted on her final journey by the immensely compassionate Dr. Wesley Edwards. Her generosity extended beyond her life, with her eyes providing sight to others. In 2010 she donated a kidney to her brother John; another example of her strength and love for her family. Through all of us, the best of her lives on. One friend summed it up well – when you spoke to Mary Jane, she made you want to be the best version of yourself.
Consistent with her values, Mary Jane chose aquemation arranged through the Ottawa Funeral Co-op.
Special thanks go to Dr. Lua Eiriksson and the teams at Juravinski Cancer Centre, the medical and support staff at Queensway Carleton Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital General Campus, and to Dr. Wesley Edwards. The nurses in all settings deserve special mention for their compassionate and professional care.
A celebration of Mary Jane will be held at Britannia Yacht Club in Ottawa on January 13, 2024 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Another celebration of Mary Jane will be held in Kincardine on July 27, 2024, with details to be announced.
Donations to A Way Home Canada, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Wellspring Cancer Support, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated as suitable memorial tributes to Mary Jane.
A WAY HOME CANADA - A Way Home Canada
Ovarian Cancer Experience, Research | Ovarian Cancer Canada (ovariancanada.org)