Obituary for Mary Lou Spickett (née McCann)
Mary Lou died peacefully in her home at age 90, June 10, 2020 with family and dog Max at her side. She was fiercely intelligent and her quick wit delighted those around her until her last days. In her twenties she met the love of her life Ernie Spickett and shortly after that, they began their life together. Both Mary Lou and Ernie came from large families and they wanted that for themselves. Together they had 7 children, followed by 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. They passed on their strong values of equality and respect for all to their children and grandchildren, along with strong family relationships - leading by example.
Mary Lou was the cherished mother of the late Ernest (2014) and wife Cheryl Spickett, Michael and wife Debbie Spickett, Dr. Laura Arbour of Victoria, BC, Lisa and husband David Koscic, Matthew and wife Donna Spickett, Mark Spickett and spouse Gilles Simon of Toronto and Leslie Spickett. She was the loving grandma of Sandy and husband Don Chang, Brandon Spickett and spouse Lori, Shane Spickett, Chad and wife Lynda Spickett, Nicole and husband Kevin Morassut, Eric and wife Randi Spickett, Kelly Spickett and fiancé Mark Riberdy, Rachel and husband Brian Gererd, Matthew Koscic of Toronto and Dr. Sarah Koscic and fiancé Dr. Joshua Gilgan of Toronto. Great-grandma (GG) of Maya, Carter, Violet, Joshua, Alexis, Arya, Morganne, River, Hunter, Heidi, Leyland, Lyla, Calvin, Abigail and Norah. Dear daughter of the late Jack and Alta McCann. Dearest sister of Rita and husband Carl St. Pierre, the late Teresa Holden, the late Sr. Catherine McCann, St. Josephs of London, the late Noreen Cardillo and husband Tony, the late Sean McCann and wife Andrée, the late Bob and Rita McCann, the late Jack and Genevieve McCann, Sister in-law of the late Theresa and Peter Brown, the late Helen and Fred Michaud, the late Agnes and Girard Marchand, the late John and Bernadette Souilliere, the late Rose and Ray Packwood and the late Edward Souilliere. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Although busy with raising 7 children and working as a secretary at Assumption College High school, Mary Lou also found time to volunteer such as for the Canadian Cancer Society, the Assumption College High School Mother’s club and in her later years, Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital.
Sadly, Mary Lou lost Ernie from a sudden heart attack in 1990; far too young to become a widow. At that time she was working at the University of Windsor Leddy Library and retired in 1995. About then, she got the travel bug taking her to places like Ireland, the east coast of Canada, Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Bequia, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Aruba, Vancouver and Victoria, BC and took several cruises. She had a keen sense of adventure, but also loved being at home in Windsor, especially during the baseball season when she could turn on a Tigers game. Mary Lou loved hosting all of her family for celebrations and visits. There was always the perfect balance of good food and chaos that kept them coming back. Her strong faith guided her through the last difficult months of her life. She will be missed, but importantly her family are grateful for the time they had with her as she provided strength, wise counsel and a lot of fun. Her typical toast at gatherings reminded us “We are all so lucky”.
We will be forever grateful to our sister Leslie Spickett for the love, support and care she provided to Mary Lou throughout the years especially in this last year of her life when her needs were the greatest.
We also appreciate the many angels who provided care, in particular, Michelle from Bayshore who was with Mary Lou for several years. More recently, we appreciate the kindness and care provided by Moragh, Anita, Sophia, Erica, Lori and others from the Hospice team, enabling her to stay at home as she completed her journey with us. Thank-you.
If you so desire, donations to the Downtown Mission and the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, 519-969-5841. Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings, a private family visitation and cremation were held. A Celebration of Mary Lou's Life will follow when circumstances allow.
Mary Lou was the cherished mother of the late Ernest (2014) and wife Cheryl Spickett, Michael and wife Debbie Spickett, Dr. Laura Arbour of Victoria, BC, Lisa and husband David Koscic, Matthew and wife Donna Spickett, Mark Spickett and spouse Gilles Simon of Toronto and Leslie Spickett. She was the loving grandma of Sandy and husband Don Chang, Brandon Spickett and spouse Lori, Shane Spickett, Chad and wife Lynda Spickett, Nicole and husband Kevin Morassut, Eric and wife Randi Spickett, Kelly Spickett and fiancé Mark Riberdy, Rachel and husband Brian Gererd, Matthew Koscic of Toronto and Dr. Sarah Koscic and fiancé Dr. Joshua Gilgan of Toronto. Great-grandma (GG) of Maya, Carter, Violet, Joshua, Alexis, Arya, Morganne, River, Hunter, Heidi, Leyland, Lyla, Calvin, Abigail and Norah. Dear daughter of the late Jack and Alta McCann. Dearest sister of Rita and husband Carl St. Pierre, the late Teresa Holden, the late Sr. Catherine McCann, St. Josephs of London, the late Noreen Cardillo and husband Tony, the late Sean McCann and wife Andrée, the late Bob and Rita McCann, the late Jack and Genevieve McCann, Sister in-law of the late Theresa and Peter Brown, the late Helen and Fred Michaud, the late Agnes and Girard Marchand, the late John and Bernadette Souilliere, the late Rose and Ray Packwood and the late Edward Souilliere. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Although busy with raising 7 children and working as a secretary at Assumption College High school, Mary Lou also found time to volunteer such as for the Canadian Cancer Society, the Assumption College High School Mother’s club and in her later years, Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital.
Sadly, Mary Lou lost Ernie from a sudden heart attack in 1990; far too young to become a widow. At that time she was working at the University of Windsor Leddy Library and retired in 1995. About then, she got the travel bug taking her to places like Ireland, the east coast of Canada, Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Bequia, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, Aruba, Vancouver and Victoria, BC and took several cruises. She had a keen sense of adventure, but also loved being at home in Windsor, especially during the baseball season when she could turn on a Tigers game. Mary Lou loved hosting all of her family for celebrations and visits. There was always the perfect balance of good food and chaos that kept them coming back. Her strong faith guided her through the last difficult months of her life. She will be missed, but importantly her family are grateful for the time they had with her as she provided strength, wise counsel and a lot of fun. Her typical toast at gatherings reminded us “We are all so lucky”.
We will be forever grateful to our sister Leslie Spickett for the love, support and care she provided to Mary Lou throughout the years especially in this last year of her life when her needs were the greatest.
We also appreciate the many angels who provided care, in particular, Michelle from Bayshore who was with Mary Lou for several years. More recently, we appreciate the kindness and care provided by Moragh, Anita, Sophia, Erica, Lori and others from the Hospice team, enabling her to stay at home as she completed her journey with us. Thank-you.
If you so desire, donations to the Downtown Mission and the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, 519-969-5841. Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings, a private family visitation and cremation were held. A Celebration of Mary Lou's Life will follow when circumstances allow.