Monday, August 12, 2019
Mary O'Hara 1922 - 2019;
Mary was Nana to everyone who came through the front door of 705 Adelaide St. And it didn't matter what time of day or night it was, that front door was never locked. This became a blessing when Janet, Shelley and I came tripping through it in the early hours, usually a little tipsy. Nan felt little pity for our painful next morning, but she would have a smile on her face.
And Nana never judged. She'd seen it all, on Adelaide St.
Nana also allowed us to act like goofy teenagers - we were in our twenty’s – and she debated with us while we watched City TV six o'clock news together – I remember the TV remote took up half the coffee table! Nana laughed with us and at us when we sat around the kitchen table talking about anything and everything, and no one could make a can of Campbell's soup like Nan. She helped us through our difficult times. When Shelley died, Nana was there, and grieved with us.
Nana influenced us in many ways and she played many roles in our lives. One year we had a college party at Nan's where she heroically played dentist when Dave fell over a garbage can outside and lost his front tooth.
But Nana never judged. She laughed, but she didn't judge.
I was also privileged to spend many Christmas dinners with the O'Hara and Beatty families, and I was always treated like a member, the kid gloves were always off. It was at my first Christmas dinner there that I learned Nan and I had something in common. We both liked oatmeal dressing and when it came to dessert Nan let me have a slice of everything. Five varieties of pies and cakes, five slices – cookies not included.
Nana never judged.
It didn't matter how quirky you were, Nana fed us all with her tolerance, support and most of all with her love.
Rest in peace Nan. You left your mark on us all. Thank you.
Lesia Brezden
