Mary V. Hersey (1924–2026)

Mary V. Hersey (née Creaghan)

Peacefully on October 12, 2026 (Thanksgiving Day) at the age of 102. Beloved and cherished wife of the late E. Peter Hersey. Dearest mother of Martha A. (Roderick Ewing) and Stephen P. (Kathleen Gould Lundy) and devoted grandmother of David G. Predeceased by her parents Gerald F. Creaghan and Mary Anne (MacKenzie) and by her sister Ellen and brother Frank. Survived by her brother Michael.

Mary was born in Loggieville, New Brunswick on August 12, 1924. She graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She had many lifelong friends from her McGill days. After working in research, meeting Peter at the Montreal Badminton & Squash Club and traveling with friends in Europe, she and Peter married in 1950 in Montreal. Mary and Peter lived most of their lives in Pointe Claire, Quebec, where they brought up their children. The family cottage in Burnt Church, New Brunswick, on the shore of Miramichi Bay, was always the special place of family and friends.

To use one of Mary’s highest compliments, she was a good sport. She was a longstanding member of The Royal Montreal Golf Club, including as Ladies’ Captain for two years and as an integral part of four successive generations of family as members of the golf club. Royal Montreal was always a central feature of her and Peter’s sporting and social life.

Mary was also an avid skier, both cross-country and downhill, and loved to tell stories of the early days of taking the Petit Train du Nord to the Laurentians. Mary was a wonderful watercolour painter and keen bridge player (a Creaghan, not Hersey, trait). She loved reading and history, including Quebec history and art history (having guided often at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and elsewhere in Quebec).

Private burial to take place at Mount Royal Cemetery and Burnt Church Union Cemetery. In memory of Mary, donations may be made to The Historical Society of Church River Inc., Camp Familial Saint-Urbain or a charity of your choice.