It is with deep sadness we share the news of Mary Ann Heary’s passing at the age of 63 after losing her valiant battle with cancer on Thursday the 14th of June.

Survived by her loving Husband, Harvey Soicher, her brothers Basil (Debbie) and John Heary (Ann), predeceased by her parents John William (Bill) Heary and Helen Gertrude Sanford, her sister Vivian and two wonderful furry children Skippy and Casper.

Mary Ann grew up in Port Credit Ontario where she went to Humber High School.   She spent her early adult life working in Toronto and Calgary and settled in Vancouver for her remaining 30 years.  Mary Ann worked in the Relocation Management and Sports Fashion Industry and was a shining star throughout her career.  She was adored by many of her clients.

Mary Ann’s loves were hiking, going to the gym, skiing, golfing, and travel and spending time with those she loved.  She touched everyone she met with a smile and had a gift of making all whose lives she touched feel special and valued.  She will be sorely missed by all but her spirit will live on in all those that knew her.

A special note of thanks goes to the amazing care by the staff of the BC Cancer Agency, the Vancouver General Hospital Palliative care unit as well as the staff of the South Granville Hospice where she spent her final 2 weeks.

Mary Ann lived her life, as described by those that knew her, as Inspirational, caring, a bright light, a role model, and one in a million!  She was truly loved by so many!

A funeral service will be held 11 AM, Thursday, June 28th at the Chapel of Skinner and Middlebrook, 128 Lakeshore Rd.E. Mississauga, ON

A Celebration of Life will be held 1 PM,  Wednesday July 25th at The University Golf Club 5185 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC.

In lieu of flowers and cards,   Mary Ann’s favorite cause is Dr. Chris Honey’s UBC & VGH Functional Neurosurgery Research Fund.

18 years ago Mary Ann suffered a ruptured brain aneurism. Due in part to the lifesaving surgery performed by Dr. Chris Honey,  Mary Ann enjoyed many years of a healthy and wonderful life and has contributed annually to Dr. Honey’s research on Parkinson’s Disease.  She has developed a great relationship with him personally and  a few weeks prior to Mary Ann’s passing Mary Ann contributed a very significant donation from her estate as one of her goals is to create a small legacy of which his research is so important.

For more info on his  amazing  Parkinson’s research you can go to his website at  http://drhoney.org/

If you wish to contribute please send donations directly via Clicking this link:
http://vghfoundation.ca/maryannheary2018

or by post:
UBC & VGH Functional Neurosurgery Research Fund
#8105 – 2775 Laurel St., Vancouver, BC  V5Z 1M9

Your support is greatly appreciated!


To all those that Love Mary Ann:
It was a beautiful day for those who came to Port Credit, Ontario to be at Mary Ann’s Funeral Service at the Skinner and Middlebrook Chapel.
The service from all accounts was beautiful with Father Neil of the same church Mary Ann attended while growing up in Port Credit.   Basil (Mary Ann’s brother), Debbie Pearce (Her best friend from Ontario, Judy Cooper (My brother, Avrum’s Wife)  paid loving tributes to Mary Ann of various periods of Mary Ann’s life.
Basil opened by saying Mary Ann’s nickname of Mern, used by so many of her family and close friends, was started by him when he was only two and couldn’t pronounce Mary Ann’s name so he called her MERN and it stuck.   I read a tribute written by Ernie Philp her grade 9 math teacher who was unable to attend but wished so much that could.  See attached for the lovely words written by Ernie.

Following the service Mern’s ashes were  laid to rest  next to her parents Helen and Bill in  a beautiful urn with three birds on the front!    I picked out this urn for my bride for its beauty and that it reminded me of the song by Bob Marley, “Three Little Birds”  which is on Mary Ann’s playlist.
The luncheon reception following the burial featured Mary Ann’s playlist and a large selection of Mary Ann’s photos.    I took the podium later during the reception and told the story of how Mary Ann and I met as so many people wanted to know.  I told them you will have to wait till the reception to find out.   Of course you can still find out at the upcoming Celebration of Life, July 25th  at the University Golf Club, starting  at 1 PM as I will retell the story   I’m renaming this event Mary Ann’s Celebration of Love!    I know that most of you will be wanting to go if you were not at the funeral service.

To read the daily journal as written by Harvey Soicher, please visit:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/p4s97qJQTY