MUNHALL Mary Kate (1923 – 2011) died December 29th, 2011 at home in Mill Village, Queens County.
Mary was the older daughter of Henry and Ann Cleverdon of West Webbery, Alverdiscott, Devon, England where she grew up. She was educated at Adelaide College and Cambridge University where she read history. Mary’s love of classical music resulted in her first job as transcriber to the Reginald King Quintet, a regular BBC broadcaster. In 1944 she met and married Robert L. Munhall, US army Ordnance, and in 1946, as a war bride, joined him on Long Island, NY. He predeceased her earlier this year. During her years in the US, she was very active in community affairs and served for many years as an officer and Life Member of the NY Sate Parent Teacher Association. Having grown up in a 16th century house, appreciating ancient British Architecture and antique furnishings, she opened her own antiques business on Long Island in 1962 and became a well known dealer at New England shows and a frequent lecturer. Another compelling part of Mary’s life was the rescue and care of homeless pets and for many years she actively worked with Northeast Connecticut Animal Rescue. In 1993, Mary and Bob immigrated to Canada choosing an 18th century Mill Village house as their home. This was fulfilling a long cherished dream of following in the footsteps of many of her 19th century ancestors who settled in Halifax and elsewhere in Canada. Her interest in antiques unabated, Mary became skilled in the restoration of Maritime hooked mats and a frequent appraiser at local Antiques Road Shows. An avid gardener, Mary made each home where she and Bob lived a show place and was a prize winning flower arranger.
She is survived by two sons: Robert and Michael and grandsons Trevor and Matthew all of the USA.
Predeceased besides her husband Bob, was her only sibling, Nancy Blackman and her beloved daughter in law Sally Williams Munhall.
Mary had a happy, full and colorful life and at her request there will be no service or mourning. For those wishing to do so, a donation in Mary’s name to the Queens County SPCA, P.O. Box 2012, Liverpool, NS B0T-1K0 would be deeply appreciated. Better yet, please consider the loving adoption in her memory of a homeless dog or cat from any animal rescue organization or shelter. Mary and her family would like to thank Dr. Sarah Cosh, Heather Cameron and the South Shore Palliative Care Service, the VON nurses, the home care workers of Queens Home Support and many friends and neighbours for all their care over the last several months. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com. http://vimeo.com/34359006
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Heather Anthony
Michael and Family, it was my pleasure to have known such a special lady , as your mother. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Take care.
shirley anthony
michael i just heard of mary’s passing and i feel a deep sadness for you and your family, i am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting you, you are a great son one to be proud of. you took such great care of your mom may all your sweet memories give you comfort and i am very glad to have met you all, mom, dad and you michael. god be with you.
shirley anthony
Monica Roberts
Michael and families,
It is with sadness that i read this. However, i would like to assure you that you took such amazing care for your mother in her last few months. She was giving nothing but love and for that you should be proud. I too am thankful that i had the chance to meet you and i wish you all the best. Take care and be proud of your actions.
Monica
Tim McDonald
I was both saddened and shocked to learn of Mary’s passing. I always enjoyed her visits to our shop in Liverpool, which usually included a very interesting conversation about her garden, her life, her family or her home in Mill Village. She was always so active and full of life and I was always so impressed with the energy she had. She never let her age slow her down. I feel very blessed that I got to know both Mary and Bob, they were awesome people and their presence will certainly be missed around Queens County. My sincere condolences to their family at this sad time.
Tim McDonald, Halifax, N.S.
Bonnie Wentzell
Dear Michael and family:
It has been my pleasure to have known your Mom and Dad. They were always so pleasant making me feel welcome whenever I went to their home. They were special people and I offer my sincere condolences to you. God bless and hugs to you (and Rosie)
Bonnie
Arthur (Hoggie) MacLeod
I was very saddened to read the news of Mary’s passing. I only knew her for a few years but we had a lot of fun conversations at my shop here in Liverpool. I will surely miss her visits. Such a great loss. Condolences go out to her son and family.
Arthur (Hoggie) MacLeod
Suzanne Atkinson & David Weintraub
We wish to express our deepest sympathy, Mike and Rob. Mary was a great friend and colleague over the years. She choose to make her journey one of passion for her life and dignity in her death. We have been inspired.
Susan Levy
I got to meet Mary through Rosie who would take herself for a walk if no one else would and I returned her a couple of times. Mary would always scold her and Rosie always looked so innocent. I wish everyone had the love of animals that Mary had and she will be missed. My condolences to the family and Rosie.
Suzanne and David Weintraub
Mike and Rob – Our deepest sympathy to you both. We were priviledged to think of Mary as both a colleague and a friend. She embraced her life with enthusiasm and her last journey with dignity and grace. It was a pleasure to know her.
Wendi Feldman Siegel
Mike, my sincere condolences to you and your family, may you know no more sorrow. Your mother’s memory will be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
Brenda Wright
It has been such an honor getting to know Mary Munhall, bit by bit, over the years. A few e-mails with her, a few Skype conversations, stories her son Michael shared of his happy childhood, his memorial tribute to his parents, Mary’s obituary and most of all, Michael’s fierce dedication and loving care for her during her time of need, have all been hints to the simple and profound greatness of Mary Munhall. Her intelligence, wit and gratitude for life, stand out to me. My life has been enriched by crossing paths with her and my family has been blessed by crossing paths, through many years, with members of her family. My wish is that her family and friends’ love for one another deepen, through their appreciation of Mary and Robert Munhall’s gifts of love that they imparted and left behind.
Sue Dunn
Mike,
I never met your mother, but after reading her obituary, it’s obvious she led a very fulfilling life. It’s also apparent that she was a very loving as well as proactive person and that you inherited those traits. My thoughts are with you and your family for your loss. Take care.
Sue Dunn
Rob
“Everything that I am and hope to be I owe to my angel mother.”
amy and alex croft
Mike and Rob, You both know how much I valued Mary’s friendship over the years and I want you both to know that she could not have asked for two better sons. I will miss her greatly and I know that she and Bob will be at peace now. Love to you both. Amy
Cindy Mooers
Dear Michael,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Although I met your Mom a short time ago, what a pleasure it was! Especially the day her and I talked for 6 hours non-stop. Felt like we’d known each other for years. Quite an amazing lady. How truly blessed you were to have such a loving Mom. I will miss my visits with her and Rosie. Take care and know she will always be your special angel.
Cindy Mooers
Heather
For All Four Munhall Men:
So sorry for your loss. Mame has gone to be with God and has become an Angel. He must have needed a helper in his Antiquities Department. She certainly knew her stuff. The community will miss her good works, her knowledge and her quick wit.
My sympathy and prayers are with you.
Blessings.
Marilyn
Dear Michael and Rob,
As you already know, Mary was my first friend in Durham, CT. We shared a love for animals and had many wonderful visits to your home in Durham as well as in Lebanon. I will always treasure her friendship and the fond memories I have of your mom. My love to you both as you deal with the loss of both your mom and dad. You both are always welcome to visit us in Durham (as Rob knows).
Marilyn
Marina Foley
Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was an acomplished lady with great son’s that took wonderful care of her.
Take care at this hard time.
Robert Horn
Dear Rob & Michael,
Marilyn & I always looked forward to our afternoon visits and tea with Mary. Our dog, Abby and your dog Jody also enjoyed chasing each other in the meadow at your home in Durham.
Your mother was always so generous in sharing her knowledge of antiques, animals and historic districts.
Your mother will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Robert
Peter & Holly Melanson
We first met Mary when we started in the antique business 15 years ago. From the beginning, she was encouraging and supportive. She was always willing to share her vast knowledge and to offer advice whenever she was asked for it. We learned a great deal from her and appreciated her friendship. She was an inspiration and will be greatly missed by everyone in the antique community. Please accept our sincere condolences.