Marie (O'Conner) McCaig

Cecilia Marie (O’Connor) McCaig, 93, of Toronto ON, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 19th.

Marie was born on November 15, 1928, to Mike and Veronica O’Connor along with her sister Frances (deceased), and upon her mother’s passing, was lovingly raised by Mildred and gained six siblings; Mildred Perry (deceased) (Frank, deceased), Thomas O'Connor (Sharon), Margaret Yacynuk (Roy, deceased), Eileen O'Connor, Reta O'Connor and Theresa Devlin (Harry). Thus began her love and exceptional talent for babysitting; one that would bring her into the lives of hundreds of nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and neighbourhood kids alike.

Marie married her high school sweetheart, Robert McCaig (deceased) and quickly started their family, raising three beautiful daughters, Marilyn, Margaret and Maureen, and their son, Tim (Joanne, deceased). Marie and Bob lived modest lives surrounded by friends and family, and Marie was always the life of the party. Never one to leave an event early, you could find Marie smartly dressed and surrounded by party guests and waitstaff alike in the wee hours of the morning, leading a rousing rendition of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. And if you didn’t know the words, she would prompt you in the pauses so you could sing along too.

During the week you could find her in a bowling league or playing softball with her cousins, siblings and kids, keeping people on their toes with a well-timed heckle or hitting a double.

Her house on Blakley Avenue in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto was a safe haven for anyone needing someone to talk to, a place to watch the Jays game, play a game of cards, or find a couch to crash on for a few nights. In fact, every couch at that house was a pullout because visitors were all but a guarantee. Marie was the most giving and generous person you could wish to meet and would truly give the shirt off her back to anyone in need.

Marie was a great caretaker of her grandchildren, Barbara (deceased), Daniel, Amanda, Lauren, Carolynn (Brett, and children Easton and Avery), and Cameron, and great granddaughter Maureen (children Elias, Micah, and Luna). She loved to travel by transit and rail and would often take the kids on cherished trips to London, Montreal, and Niagara Falls.

In her later years, she was tenderly cared for by her daughter Margaret for almost two decades, who took care of her at home and in the nursing home; visiting regularly to talk to her, do her hair the way she liked it, buy her clothes, and make sure she knew she was loved, even when dementia took away communication. Marie’s family would like to thank the amazing caretakers at Peel Manor LTC in Brampton.

Despite being in her 90s and suffering from the cruel diseases of dementia and Alzheimers, Marie was not sick or on medication, even surviving COVID-19 in January of 2022. She passed with ease in her sleep and is now at rest. A celebration of life will take place in the spring so friends and family can share their endless stories about this one-of-a-kind woman. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Marie’s honour can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

A caretaker, a comedian, a confidant, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a great-great grandmother, a friend.