Mary Louise Forrest
elevated 62lJu June 12, 1920 ~ August 11, 2023
elevated 62lJu Funeral Mass
Monday, August 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.
Chapel of St. Joseph – Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated 62lJu Interment
St. Cornelius Cemetery
16066 Gore Road, Caledon, Ontario, L7C 3E6
elevated 62lJu Donations
Memorial Donations made to Good Shepherd Ministries or The Shepherds’ Trust are appreciated by the family.
elevated 62lJu Streaming
To Stream the Mass, please click here.
elevated 62lJu Obituary
On August 11, 2023, Mary Louise Forrest, the daughter of Michael and Irene O’Brien (née Tighe) passed away peacefully at the age of 103. Born June 12, 1920 Mom grew up in St. Thomas Aquinas parish in a religious Irish home with her four sisters; Margaret McLoughlin, and the now deceased Nora Masse, Edna O’Brien, and Monica Cormier. In 1940, she married James Forrest, the love of her life with whom she enjoyed 57 years of marriage. Mom was a loving mother and mother-in-law to Brian and his wife Lone Knudsen (deceased), Patricia and her husband Glenn Castellarin, and Linda (deceased) and her husband Jack Granatstein. Mom will be forever remembered for her kind and generous spirit, illustrated by her regular advice of “if you are sad, do something for someone else”. Her seven grandchildren, David, Kyle, Gregory, Michael, Mary-Anne, Peter, and John will remember her for her exceptional baking: lemon meringue pie, chocolate coconut cookies, witch fingers and gingerbread houses. Grandma loved to play golf and continued to travel to Florida well into her eighties to escape the winter freeze. She was an avid Blue Jays fan and bid euchre maven, who read the newspaper daily and completed crossword and Sudoku puzzles. Grandma leaves behind 14 great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry a piece of her and the lessons she instilled in our family. Our family cannot overemphasize how grateful we are to the staff of Cummer Lodge for the exceptional level of care mom received . Mom made a lasting and positive impression on all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.
elevated 62lJu
Aunt Mary was a wonderful person, cheerful, wise and so welcoming. I have amazing memories of cottage weekends with her and Uncle Jimmy as a child as well as many family dinners and get togethers. The world has lost a very nice person. To a full and well lived life.
Patti and family, please receive my condolences.
I only met Mary a few times but because I heard so many wonderful things about her from Patti, I felt as though I knew her. I’m very sorry for your loss, I know she was an important part of your lives. At the same time, I’m ever so glad that you had her in your lives for so long.
In times to come, I’m sure you’ll be reminiscing about all the special moments you were fortunate enough to share with her.
I remember as a child, visiting my Toronto relatives with my parents. Dad loved his O’Brien cousins.
Mary had such a long and fulfilling life and will live on in her many children, grandchildren and great-children. My sympathies for your loss.
Patti my condolences. I have very fond memories of your mother and our two families as we grew together. Much Love
Patti your Mom was my second Mom. I have very special memories
of summers at the cottage with your family. Since I was 2 years old she has always been in my life and my thoughts.
Mary was always gentle and soft spoken and I loved her.
What a wonderful long full life she lived and we should celebrate
her 103 years and the memories she has given us.
Love and Condolences to All.
I watched Mary’s funeral on-line. I wish I could have been there. The eulogy was very touching. I will “visit” Mary on my next trip to St. Cornelius.