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It is with a broken heart we announce the passing of Mrs. Mary Small (Baba, Mom, Auntie Mary). She passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 20, 2018 with her family by her side at the TBRHSC.

Mary was born at home (416 Morin St) in Sault Ste. Marie on May 8, 1926. She moved to Thunder Bay on August 5, 1937 via the S.S. Assiniboine. They docked at Fort William and took up residence there at 218 Mary St West. Mary started school that September at St Martin’s School (called St. Francis School then) and completed Senior 4th (8th Grade) when she stopped to help care for her family. Mary’s first job was at Wimpys. She then worked at The White Lunch at 14 years old. In 1944, at 18, she started at Provincial Paper Mill. She got married in 1948 to the love of her life Fred Small Sr and stopped working at the Paper Mill until 1959, when her husband unexpectedly passed away. She got hired back and worked at Provincial Paper Mill in the Finishing Room until April 1, 1991, when she took a well-deserved retirement.

Throughout her life, the most important thing to Baba was her family. She loved family celebrations, gatherings and parties. She was the true matriarch and glue. She ran a tight ship and was loved by all. Baba was most known for and really enjoyed crocheting, knitting, shopping, needle work, taking pictures, baking, and gardening. She enjoyed special shopping trips for goodies and flowers with her granddaughter, her sister and her nieces. She loved when people would pop over for a coffee and a visit and she also liked to pop over to see family and friends for a coffee and a visit. Her famous sandwiches, butter tarts and loafs, among other dishes were enjoyed by many. She enjoyed crocheting so much that everyone in the family has received an Auntie Mary crochet blanket for one special occasion or another. Her garden was one of her most prized possessions. She had such great patience, spending hours on her hands and knees’ ensuring her garden was weed free. Her grandchildren Tara and Brett were her pride and joy. She was so proud of all of their accomplishments and enjoyed to brag as Baba’s do. Baba did things in her own way, in her own time and with no regrets. 

She was predeceased by her husband Fred Small Sr, her mother Mary, father William, her sister Betty (Reg), and brother’s Jackie, Bill, John and Rod (Darlene).

Mary is survived by her granddaughter Tara (Keith) Williams and grandson Brett, son Fred (Roberta) Small, sister Helen Koroll, nieces Donna Koroll (Stewart Mainville), Debbie (Frank) Bil, Louann (Jeff) Bateman, Stephanie (Tim) Paxton, Evelyn Mattonen, Sarah Mattonen (Ryan), Lisa (Ashley and Makayla) Gibbs, and nephews Alan Koroll, Zack Bannon, Kevin Bil (Evelyn), Jason Bateman, Justin Mattonen, Joey (Jane, Julia and Emily) Palahnuk, Barrie (Cheryl) Henry, Jim Henry, life-long neighbour and friend Linda (Paul) Beazley, and numerous more cousins and extended family in Sault Ste. Marie, where she always enjoyed visits and family gatherings. Baba was so loved and will be deeply missed by all.

Thank you to the incredible nursing staff at the TBRHSC in 2A, especially to Shawn, Brent, Kristen, James, Bryden, Justin and Stephanie; you are truly amazing individuals and we are so grateful for your professionalism, care and compassion throughout this most difficult time. Thank you to Palliative Care nurse Amy for being so wonderful and supportive through everything. You all made Baba’s final journey home a little easier.

Thank you to Linda Beazley for always checking in on Baba, whether it was a daily visit or a nightly night cap with a card game of Threesies and Yahtzee, a game of scrabble, snow removing or taking her to various appts, we thank you and you are so appreciated. You were a true friend and neighbour.

A graveside service for the late Mrs. Mary Small will be held on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 1:00 PM in Mountainview Cemetery, with family and friends gathering at the cemetery office. In lieu of flowers, donations to the The Boulevard Lake Butterfly Garden Project (payable to the City of Thunder Bay – Butterfly Garden) or the Friends of the Thunder Bay Botanical Conservatory would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.

Baba passed on the first day of spring. She loved being outside among her gardens of flowers, so if you can, think of her often and plant a flower in her honour. Thank you for everything Baba, I love you and will miss you but know I’ll be seeing you with the butterflies dancing about the garden.

“Just whisper my name in your heart and I will be there.”



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