Mary Ann Huff

HUFF, Mary Ann
October 14, 1948 - June 26, 2017
Mary Ann Vanderburg was born in Holland and came to Canada as a toddler with her parents and brothers. They settled in Lindsay, Ontario where she lived the rest of her life. She learned the value and love of family through her parents and five brothers, close cousins and friends. She moved through school (St. Mary’s and LCVI) and into a working life at Lindsay Hydro and Fleming College. In 1968, she met Tom Huff, a young teacher from Picton, Ontario, for whom she shared the importance of family and friendship. Together they cultivated their interests, through travel and parties, camping, walking and being with those they loved. In 1972 their daughter Tanya entered their life, and in 1974 their son Jamie. Now they had the joy of sharing their love with their children. They taught their children to love the things they loved: being kind and helpful to others, camping and outdoor spaces, traveling and exploring the world and always the joy of time spent with family and friends. Mary Ann was always so proud of Tanya and James. As years passed, Mary Ann and Tom had the pleasure to see their children grow. Wonder and pride as they grew, sadness as they went away to school and then joy to see them succeed. Tanya and Rob and James and Kelly each started their own families. Mary Ann was so pleased to see how lovely her grandchildren became - a reflection of her and Tom’s own gifts as parents. Now she could enjoy her time with Ruth, Jack, Ben and Spencer and they could enjoy all the time they had to spend with her: a gift not all children get. Card playing with friends over the years, filled evenings of her and Tom’s weekends in their work years and anytime in their retired years. Sometimes she got good cards, and sometimes not, but she played the hand she was dealt as well as she could, as we all try to do. Knitting sweaters, folk art and then quilting - beautiful quilting: the meaningful ways Mary Ann could spend both her alone time and time with friends. Pouring her love and caring in her art. Tom and Mary Ann travelled. With friends and family they visited the world: Asia, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and towards the end a small resort in Belleville, Ontario. Time to explore and to be in the company of those she loved and who loved her. As their bodies began to let them down, Mary Ann struggled to not allow their health to get in the way of the things she and Tom loved to do. Treatment was such an interference into her afternoons of bridge. Instead she focused on being with who she loved, and when that wasn’t possible having them be with her. As the end drew near, Mary Ann and Tom brought their children and their family together again. They worked so well together to close some doors that needed to close, and hopefully open some others. In her last week, she again brought family and friends together. They shared stories of their lives together and love of each other, smiled, cried and laughed. As Tom, Tanya, James and their families sat with her, speaking of the things she loved and the places she had been, her life ended in the same building as other lives were just getting started. The company and love of family and friends was the most comforting thing for Mary Ann Huff. Someone we can all learn something from. Family and friends are invited to Lakeland Funeral Centre, 19 Moose Road, for a drop in Memorial Reception on Thursday, June 29 from 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.