Mary Faux
Obituary
FAUX, Mary…
Mary Ruth Faux, 83, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2021, at Highview Residences in London, Ontario of complications of Alzheimer’s and stroke. She was surrounded by close friends.
Mary was born March of 1938, in Hamilton, Ontario to Ernie and Patricia Robbins, and after her mother’s passing was raised by her stepmother Rose Robbins. She lived an extremely full life, residing at various times in Hanover, Strathroy, and London, Ontario; Concepción, Chile; New York City; Alexandria, Virginia; Cambridge and Arlington, Massachusetts; Whitefield, Maine; Chalatenango, El Salvador; and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was a fighter for social justice, an Irish harp player, and a poet.
Mary earned a Master’s degree in Social Planning from Goddard College in Vermont in 1971; in the early 1970s she was Director of the Family Planning Office in Augusta, Maine; she raised two sons, as well as goats and sheep on a family farm in central Maine; ran several restaurants, notably the Wife of Bath, in Bath, Maine; she was a professional organizer for the Ladies Garment Workers Union and The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union in New York; in her 50s she did two terms in the Peace Corps in Chalatenango, El Salvador where she organized women into a textile co-op and assisted the mayor in reconstructing the town, following the war. She played harp in the Angel Band, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and often performed for terminal patients in the hospital and in Hospice. Later in life she returned to Canada to be close to her two sisters, Pat and Sue, and her brother Chuck. She is survived by her two sons: Tom Faux (Robin) and George Faux (Melody); four grandchildren: Shelby (William), Malcolm, Celia, and Stella; her sister Sue Jaunzemis (Richard) and brother Chuck Robbins; her cousin Gary Depew; her nieces Margaret Walker, Nancy Walker, Patsy Walker, and Sarah Jaunzemis; her step-nephews and step-niece Shawn, Shane, and Michele; her close end of life companions Carol Burns and Jim Coulter; Dr. Jennie Wells, a very special mentor for many years; and her former husband Jeff Faux.
She was predeceased by her older sister Pat Walker, and her brother-in-law Jack Walker. She is no longer an old lady, no longer trapped in a pained body, no longer has Alzheimer’s. Let her spirit soar!!
Cremation has taken place. To honor Mary’s memory, the family requests that donations be made to Maine Family Planning, P.O. Box 587, Augusta, ME 04332-0587 or https://mainefamilyplanning.org. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com
We never saw Mary after she left the apartment. We did spend much time with her at our place and also with her at the her home. She sure was a talented person..
We would like to hear from her sister about whom she talked.
She had a very interesting life.
We first met her at the Probus Club.
Love, Andre and Shirley .
My sincere sympathy to all her family and friends. Mary graced my life briefly offering inspiration, kindness and enthusiasm. When a colleague retired, Mary came to my home and played her harp for guests. She refused any payment – a gift. Her legacy continues in all those small acts of kindness and her remarkable career and volunteer work. Nancy Bol
I thought Mary had a tremendous spirit and was very kind. I met Mary shortly after she moved into Chelsey Park and she was very cheerful and friendly. She was showing signs of Alzheimer’s but able to live alone. I was able to help her on the computer and drive her places she needed to go. Whenever we met I greeted her with “Mary, Mary, quite contrary” and she’d smile.
Jimmy and Carol were very loyal friends and with her til the end.. Her sons and daughters-in-law were very caring and Suzie was great, managing her health care and accommodation from two hours away.
There are a lot of people that will miss you Mary.
Mary and I were good friends. We played in the same band and at her Portsmouth apartment over a number pf years. I accompanied her on some job actions, acted as a quasi bodyguard when she testified against DeCosta Egg Farm, and as a “getaway driver” every once in a while. She was a courageous person and I’m saddened at her passing. Condolences to her family and friends.