With profound sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Margret Blasutti (née Bissonnette) on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Maison McCulloch Hospice after a brief illness. Mary departed this world surrounded by her loving family, who will forever cherish her memory.
Born on July 21, 1932, in Airy, Ontario, to Victor and Martha (née Chapeski) Bissonnette, Mary was raised in a close-knit and loving family. She cherished her time spent with her siblings Cecil (Phyllis), Edna, Lionel (Margaret), and Linda (Peter). Her life was deeply enriched by these special family bonds, and the fun-filled antics she shared with her siblings.
In 1949, she met the love of her life, Mario Blasutti, and they married in 1951. Together, they shared a devoted and loving marriage for over 60 years, serving as a shining example of commitment and love to all who knew them.
Mary was the treasured mother of five children: Brian, David (predeceased in 2010), Debbie, Anne-Marie, and Lianna. She warmly welcomed her daughter-in-law Sue, and sons-in-law Richard and George, into her heart, loving them as her own.
As a proud grandmother / Noni / Nonina, she adored her eleven grandchildren: Carly (Trevor), Matthew (Amelia), Joshua (Nadia), Jonathan (Kate), Cara (Dan), Aaron, Kaila (Rashed), Taryn (Jude), Mitchell, Julia, and Tasha. Her thirteen great-grandchildren—Joel, Owen, Anna, Isaac, Alana, Leah, Holly, Harrison, Luca, Mia, Nico, Stella, and Anthony—brought her immense joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them.
A woman of deep and abiding faith, Mary lived her life guided by her spiritual convictions. Her involvement in church ministries, particularly as a Eucharistic Minister, was a testament to her dedication to her community and to the values that shaped her life.
Mary’s zest for life was infectious. Her sense of humour, characterized by her unforgettable laugh, could fill a room with joy, leaving everyone around her in stitches. This laughter was a constant companion throughout her life, even in her final days.
In the kitchen, Mary was a masterful cook, blending her Polish, Italian, and French-Canadian heritage in meals that nourished body and soul. Whether she was making homemade pasta, ravioli, pierogies, cabbage rolls, or meat pies, you could be certain that you were in for a treat. Mary passed on these culinary traditions to her children and grandchildren, creating countless happy memories around the family table.
Family was always at the center of Mary’s heart. She appreciated any opportunity to gather with loved ones, especially at the annual Blasutti family reunions, where she could spend time with her extended family, including Bruno and Ellen, Rodi and Nadia, and Nando and Zoila. Her love for her family was boundless, and those who knew her never doubted how deeply they were loved. Mary was never shy about telling those around her how much she loved and appreciated them.
Mary leaves behind a legacy of family values, humour, affection, faith, and unwavering love. Her kindness, warmth, and generosity will forever live on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
Our family extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated doctors and nurses in the Emergency Department at HSN for their compassionate and expert care during the time she spent there.
We also wish to acknowledge Dr. James Chau, who cared for Mary for over a decade. His kindness, patience, compassion and expertise greatly enhanced her quality of life.
A special thank you to the Maison McCulloch Hospice team for their extraordinary care and support in Mary’s final days. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude to the doctors and nurses who kept her comfortable and guided our family through the difficult end-of-life journey. In particular, we offer our most sincere appreciation to Julie, whose professionalism, calmness and compassion during those final moments were a true blessing to our family.
Our thanks to family friend David St. Germain, for his love and support, and the many SkipBo games he played with Mary.
To the friends and family who have gathered around us and provided everything from food to emotional support, thank you. You all know how important you are to us.
Mary is resting at Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday Oct 22 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral service in the Jackson and Barnard chapel Wednesday Oct 23 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Maison McCulloch Hospice would be deeply appreciated.