Obituary of Mary Lumley Jarrett

In her 96th year Mary Jarrett, nee Lumley, passed peacefully to her eternal rest with loving family by her side at Seasons Stoney Creek. She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, firstborn of Margaret and Philip Lumley. Having moved initially to her father’s original home in Crook, County Durham, then to London, England, she was removed to safe-haven in Dunton Green, Kent during the London Blitz. There she met her lifelong best-friend Dorothy Jarrett (later Robinson) who introduced her to her brother, Jim, upon his return from the Royal Navy Pacific Fleet at the end of World War II. They were married November 1946 and settled in Chipstead, Kent where their first 3 children were born. In 1954 the couple and their three young children immigrated to Canada, crossing a stormy Atlantic in April and within a month had settled in Hamilton. Throughout her life family was always her focus and her source of happiness. After her husband’s untimely death in 1969, and 22 years as a stay-at-home mum, she had no choice but to work to support her family. Though sometimes having to work three jobs to make ends meet, she slogged through whatever it took and triumphed over tough times and some miserable jobs. Eventually she found work she could thoroughly enjoy, first at McMaster University and latterly at Hamilton Public Library where she hung on part-time well beyond retirement age. Her joy and pride in her growing family never wavered, as well as her never ending admonition to “let’s get a group shot” whenever gathered together. She was feisty, brave and (mostly) cheerful to the end, and looking forward to rejoining the “love of my life”, Jim as well as reunion with friends and family gone before. She will be forever loved and missed by her children Stephen (Paula), Caroline (Gary) Moran, Danny (Lynn), David (Sue) and Sean (Sylvia); grandchildren James (Sam), Sarah (Matt) McWatch, Joel (Rose), Ryan (Abi), Keith, Lindsey, Kate (Craig) Wilson, Amelia, Cameron (Tamara), Maddy, Grace, Gwyneth and George; and great-grandchildren Sophia, Vivienne and Bronwyn Moran, Colton, Rhiannon and River McWatch, Charlie Wilson and Penelope Jarrett. Loved and survived by her brother David (Jennifer) Lumley, predeceased by her beloved sister Eva (Ron) Smith. Fondly remembered by nieces and nephews Laura and Derek Smith, Mary Rose, Scott and Suzanne, James Lumley, grand-nieces and grand-nephews as well as close relatives and extended family both here and in England, Ireland and Wales.  Visitation will be held Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek from 6-8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held in Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment to follow at Fifty Cemetery, 465 Hwy # 8, Stoney Creek.  Her children are profoundly thankful to the staff, past and present, of Seasons Stoney Creek for their support and kindness in making her feel at home these past few years. Special thanks to staff at St. Joseph’s Healthcare for your excellent care and concern throughout the years.   Donations to Hamilton Food Share or Hamilton Burlington SPCA would be appreciated. Notes of sympathy and condolence may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca