DAVIDSON, Mary Georgina (nee Soplet) January 8, 1956 to December 24, 2018 With great sadness we announce Mary’s passing in her 63rd year at Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton.
Brother Brian, son John and daughter Barbara were at her side. Mary was predeceased by parents Mary (Gow) Soplet and John Leonard Soplet; special aunts Agnes (Gow) Potts Roy and Beatrice Soplet; and faithful companion dog, Fluffy. Dear mother of John (Arasay) and Barbara (James). Cherished sister of Brian (Catherine) and aunt to Eric, Lydia and Evelyn.
In recent years, Mary was a joyous light full of laughter with her deafculture friends in Hamilton, especially at Crossfire Church Deaf Congregation. Mary will be greatly missed by Pastor John and friend Adele for her wicked sense of humour and prolific knitting of mittens, hats and scarves for the less fortunate. Mary is fondly remembered as a volunteer with youth ministry and parish administration at St. Brides Church, Clarkson and by members of Fairfields Swimming Club for her poolside support at Citi-Swim meets. Despite suffering birth trauma that caused deafness, Mary persisted in her lifelong quest for independence. She was among the first students to attend Toronto School for the Deaf and reconnected with classmates at its recent 50th anniversary. When 9 years old, Mary took the TTC streetcar and subway to deaf school where she learned to lip read, and read and write English. Decades later as American Sign Language (ASL) became a communication norm, Mary took courses at Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf.
In the 1970’s Mary got a job as a Clerk at Canada Post, met Grant Davidson, married and started her family. As a result of divorce in 2003, Mary and her daughter moved to Mississauga and were supported by Brian and family in reparation and healing. Given access to technology, at age 48 Mary became computer literate; she was the first deaf employee at Options Mississauga Printing and Office Services for Community Living clients. Mary later was the first deaf volunteer page at Port Credit Library with support from dear friend Elizabeth. Beginning in 2006, Mary pursued training courses at Mohawk College Deaf Empowerment Program and later in 2008 moved to Hamilton where she lived independently for 10 years until stricken by a disabling fall in November. At our final family gathering in September, Mary proudly shared photos of her first-ever vacation with her adult married children, using her tablet.
A Celebration of Life for Mary Davidson will take place at Crossfire Assembly, 458 King Street West, Hamilton on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 3 p.m. Reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to “Crossfire Assembly – Re: Deaf Ministry”.