It is with great sorrow that the family of Mary Kathleen Sheehy Wilkins announce her sudden passing Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009.

Mary was born in Cass Lake, Minn., May 7, 1938, the youngest daughter of Emmett and Elizabeth Sheehy. Although born in the United States, Mary spent the majority of her life in Canada, but proudly retained her U.S. citizenship.

Mary’s greatest joy was her family; she enjoyed time spent visiting with her children, and delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was an avid “garage sale diva” and could be counted on to “score a bargain” at garage sales every weekend. She played golf, bridge and especially loved her “late night” card games with her close friends.

She was fortunate to have traveled throughout the U.S.A. and to Europe several times, touring Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Spain, France, England, Ireland and Scotland.

She was a very active member of the Dryden, Ontario, community and drew much satisfaction from being involved in countless local charities. She was past president of the Catholic Women’s League and had also served on the Diocesan Council. She spent years volunteering for the Telecare crisis line, the Red Cross, and she helped create the Mayor’s Committee for Substance Abuse. She was a master Toastmaster, and proudly served on St. Joseph’s School Council. In recent years, Mary volunteered at Princess Court, was a hospital greeter and was active in social justice projects with the Outreach Committee at the church. Mary was proud to be the “Queen” of the local Red Hat Society-Strawberry Mousse Delights, and thoroughly enjoyed the fun and camaraderie with the ladies in that group. She became a grandma to many, volunteering to read weekly with Grade 2 students at St. Joseph’s School.

Left to mourn are Mary’s five children, Debbie (Martin) MacKinnon of Dryden, Dori (Doug) Beaushene of Balmertown, Dawn Wilkins (Doug Giles), of Whiterock, British Columbia, Daniel Wilkins and Patty (Bill) Wrolstad, all of Dryden.

She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Neil and Melissa MacKinnon, Nicole (Jamie) Kristoff, Bryan Beaushene, Clancy and Molly Doherty, Emma Wilkins, Andrew, Liam, Maryn, and Abram Wrolstad and her precious great-granddaughters, Mckenna and Callie Kristoff.

Also surviving are her brother, Mike Sheehy and sister, Patricia MacInnis, both of the United States. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, Thomas in 2004; her sister, Geraldine Kimball; brother, Tom Sheehy; as well as her mother and father.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Dryden Community Funeral Home with prayer service at 7.

A funeral Mass to celebrate Mary’s life will be conducted at 10 a.m. today, Friday, Oct. 2, at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, with Fr. Alan Campeau celebrating the Eucharist.

Pallbearers are Neil MacKinnon, Bryan Beaushene, Clancy Doherty, Andrew Wrolstad, Mark Wilkins and Gary Doherty.

Honorary pallbearers are Rene Taylor, Mary-Lou Leonzio, George and Evelyn Malyk, Joyce and John Popien and Erna Skillen.

If friends should desire, donations may be made to the CT Scan Fund or a charity of your choice through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.