Mary Josephine Fynes

Mary Josephine (Maureen) Fynes (nee Campbell) passed away on the evening of Friday, September 23, 2022 after a short illness.   Maureen, as she was known to all, was the 97-year-old matriarch of her family of six children, 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased in 2012 by her husband of 69 years, John Fynes; sadly, she was also predeceased by her son-in-law Myles Waite and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Fynes (nee Furlong).

She is missed by her children across Canada from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia: Raymond (Mary), Shaun (Sheila), Paul (Lillian), Garnet, Patrick and Adrian (Christine) and all her grandchildren: Brenna, Bronagh, Corena, Cormac, Conor, Fiona, Gordon, Justin, Linda, Mireille, Moira, Niall and Shamus.

Maureen was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 28th 1925, the first-born daughter of James Campbell and Isabella nee O’Kane. When WW II was declared the family arranged for her to move to Dublin where her sewing skills landed her a dress-making job with a fashion house there.  She met her husband to-be while visiting her parents who had been evacuated to Ballymoney, Co Antrim to escape the German Blitz.  After she and John were married in Dervock, Co Antrim on December 26th, 1943, they moved to Ballymena to begin their married life and raise their family.  Many Ballymena brides wore dresses that Maureen made.   In 1971 she and Johnny made the decision to sell up the shop they had bought and emigrate with their family to Canada. Toronto became their new home until time for retirement.

Maureen was an accomplished singer and loved music.  From her dress-making days and her time working at Birks in Toronto, she had an eye for fashion and jewelry, and loved to look her best, but her greatest passion was for her family.  Our loss is measured by the depth of that passion.

The family are grateful for the compassionate and expert care delivered by the doctors and staff of Foundation Lodge and Hogg Pavilion.