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Sauble Beach, Wiarton

Mary Close June 13, 2024

Date of Funeral

June 19, 2024

Mary Close – perpetually 23, and weak in math – peacefully at her Red Bay home after a lengthy battle with MS on Thursday June 13, 2024. Mary Elizabeth Close at the age of 72 years. Loving wife and best friend to Marty Wolf for almost 52 years. Dear sister to Patricia (late Jan Dunlap), of Mansfield, Ohio, Lawrence Close (Donna), of Flesherton, Thomas Close (Karen), of Kolona, BC, and John Close (Brenda), of Red Bay; and sister-in-law of John Wolf, of Kitchener, and Richard Wolf, of Toronto. Sadly missed by her many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Jackson and Vivian; step-father, Jack Crawford; brother, Dr. Robert Close; step-brother, John Crawford; brother-in-law, Michael Wolf; and niece, Rachael Close. Marty has been compassionate, and loving, and has cherished Mary. From Mary: “To everyone who has been with me, I will always love you.” Friends may call for visitation from the Thomas C. Whitcroft Funeral Home & Chapel, Sauble Beach 814 Bruce Rd. 8, Sauble Beach (519) 422-0041 on Wednesday June 19, 2024 from 12 – 2 PM, where a celebration of life service will be held in the chapel at 2 o’clock, with a reception to follow. Friends are invited bring a clutch of wildflowers/grasses, especially daisies. Donations to the Volunteer Action Centre – KW, House of Friendship (Kitchener), or Mission and Service (United Church of Canada) would be appreciated. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whitcroftfuneralhome.com
We are not alone: bye for now.

Friends may call for visitation from the Thomas C. Whitcroft Funeral Home & Chapel, Sauble Beach 814 Bruce Rd. 8, Sauble Beach (519) 422-0041 on Wednesday June 19, 2024 from 12 – 2 PM, where a celebration of life service will be held in the chapel at 2 o’clock, with a reception to follow.

Condolences(24)

  1. REPLY
    Dianne Borch says
    June 14, 2024 at 6:25 pm

    Thank you for always willingly sharing your love for books, Red Bay and life in general.
    Your weekly attendance, with Marty’s support, at Red Bay Community Church was anticipated, appreciated and an encouragement. Although your presence will be dearly missed your spirit will certainly remain.
    Now you’ll have tea time with Carol and Rachel😊
    Dianne & the Borch family

  2. REPLY
    Ortwin Groh says
    June 14, 2024 at 8:35 pm

    My deepest sympathy Marty about your soul mate. I always smile when I think of her and her enthusiasm with the dance club and going to senior homes to help bring cheer to the elderly which turns out to be us now. A bright light dimmed too early
    Ortwin

  3. REPLY
    Bill Maclean says
    June 14, 2024 at 9:42 pm

    Marty, my deepest condolences. I am saddened to hear of my cousin Mary’s passing. This picture of Mary is how I will always remember her. She had an amazing ability to bring smiles to everyone she met.

  4. REPLY
    Mike McMillan says
    June 14, 2024 at 10:39 pm

    Marty: Our deepest condolences on Mary’s passing. Mary has always been an inspiration to our community. Your caring & dedication to her is a lesson for us all. She will be missed.

  5. REPLY
    Vivian MacDonald says
    June 15, 2024 at 7:48 am

    I am so sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. My sympathy to Marty and the Close family.

  6. REPLY
    Liz Klassen says
    June 15, 2024 at 9:26 am

    While a distance apart, you were always in my heart! I miss you dearest friend. Thinking of you Marty – a true companion to Mary.

  7. REPLY
    Elliott Evelyn says
    June 15, 2024 at 9:42 am

    So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a wonderful compassionate person.. She was a valuable member of the Mar Women’s Institute helping in whatever manner she could. She will be missed and fondly remembered..

  8. REPLY
    Borys & Olya Malko says
    June 15, 2024 at 10:21 am

    We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts go out to you as we send our heart felt sympathy.

  9. REPLY
    Felicia Urbanski says
    June 15, 2024 at 9:59 pm

    Marty, it was a joy to hear your voice over the phone today when I called. You were such a great comfort to Mary! Your caring compassion for her struggles with MS over the years has been exemplary. I wish for you God’s continuous blessings and guidance at this difficult time. Love, Felicia

  10. REPLY
    Jim & Laura Brodrecht says
    June 16, 2024 at 6:50 am

    Dear Marty and family,
    We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Mary and send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to you Marty and family. Mary was such a bright light and it is sad that our family visit planned for July fell short. Jim and I are so grateful that you brought Mary for a short but very sweet visit last December. May your lifetime of fond memories of Mary give you comfort during this very difficult time. With love & hugs, Jim & Laura Brodrecht

  11. REPLY
    Barb Barnes says
    June 16, 2024 at 2:09 pm

    So sorry I can’t be with you and Mary’s family Wednesday, but know my heart ❤️ is praying for you.

  12. REPLY
    Brian Hunsberger says
    June 16, 2024 at 2:29 pm

    I worked with Mary for many years at House of Friendship and greatly appreciated her sense of humour and her compassion and commitment to those she served. She will be missed.

    RIP Mary.

  13. REPLY
    Carolyn Sullivan says
    June 16, 2024 at 7:32 pm

    Marty, I am so sorry to hear that Mary has passed away. Many fond memories from your time at Emmanuel.

  14. REPLY
    Anne Woolner says
    June 16, 2024 at 10:18 pm

    My heart goes out to you, Marty! I love this picture of Mary. That is how she looked with me in high school when all she did was talk about this Marty guy that she was so in love with! You were her great “love”.

  15. REPLY
    Jane Hennig says
    June 17, 2024 at 2:07 pm

    Mary was integral to the development and ongoing work of what is now Volunteer Waterloo Region. She helped to shape the creation of our Centre 40 years ago and then served on the board of directors. I joined the Centre after Mary’s time on the board but was fortunate to benefit from her vision and chatted with her over the phone from time to time.

    Our sincere condolences to all of Mary’s family and friends. She was a very special woman.

    Jane Hennig and all those connected to Volunteer Waterloo Region, past and present.

  16. REPLY
    Larry Close says
    June 17, 2024 at 5:58 pm

    While we in the Close family are deeply grieving our sister Mary, we are also very much thinking of husband Marty who provided steadfast and loving care for Mary throughout the many years of her courageous battle against MS.THANK YOU MARTY FOR BEING THERE FOR MARY!!!!
    Brother Larry

  17. REPLY
    Susan White says
    June 17, 2024 at 10:21 pm

    Mary has stayed in my mind as a woman with a keen wit and good company. She was a member in good standing in the Mar Women’s Institute and enjoyed many of our outings through the years. Marty of course was always making that possible and planning the outing with precision. While a member, she received an award from The Town of South Bruce Peninsula for her accomplishments in her life. She actually had written and published a book about attracting and keeping people in volunteer groups. Had we followed her book (which we didn’t see) perhaps the Mar Women’s Institute would still be around and active. The Branch did disband during Covid years. Susan White

  18. REPLY
    Nora Quackenbush says
    June 18, 2024 at 10:13 am

    To Marty and family, so sorry for your loss, with the passing of Mary. God Bless you all. May you find peace in knowing she is at home with the Lord.

  19. REPLY
    Sandy southwick says
    June 18, 2024 at 7:52 pm

    I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mary. My deepest sympathy to Marty and family. Mary had such an incredible spirit that never wavered over the years. Our visits to Red Bay were not always frequent but always filled with laughter. May the wonderful memories of Mary bring comfort to Marty and family at this sad time.

  20. REPLY
    Dennis Sisko says
    June 18, 2024 at 8:38 pm

    Marty, Gale and I were saddened to hear about Mary’s passing. Our prayer is that our Lord and Saviour will provide comfort and peace to you and family members during your time of mourning 🙏

  21. REPLY
    Keith Hepburn says
    June 18, 2024 at 10:49 pm

    Our deepest condolences on Mary’s passing!

  22. REPLY
    Fred & Martha Svacina says
    June 19, 2024 at 12:19 pm

    May the memories of your beautiful, loving, and caring relationship with Mary give you some comfort and peace., Marty.
    Love, Fred & .Martha 💕

  23. REPLY
    Robert Gates says
    June 19, 2024 at 2:48 pm

    Marty and Family
    Our sympathy to all of you on Mary’s passing. The memories we have are from visits before or after church at Sauble United. We recall Mary’s friendliness, her sincere faith, her love of music, her sharp intellect and the courageous way she handled her illness. Mary’s beautiful spirit shone through the weakness and limitations she lived with. May God’s grace and love surround you as you celebrate her life today.
    Robert and Nancy Gates

  24. REPLY
    Cindy and Don Hallman says
    June 26, 2024 at 11:25 am

    We were so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Don Has known the Close family ever since his time living in Waterloo and at Red Bay. When we later purchased our cottage at Red Bay, it was so great to renew our acquaintance with Mary and Marty through our Red Bay Church family. We were so inspired to see how Mary coped with her condition over the years. Her strong faith and her love and care for others always shone through her challenges. We will miss her presence, but know that she is with her Lord! We pray for Marty , her family and friends and our RBCC family for God’s comfort, love and hope. With our love, Cindy and Don Hallman

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