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Peacefully, with her loved ones by her side, at the Campbellford Memorial Hospital on Sunday, July 4th, 2021, Mary Buchanan in her 100th year. Youngest daughter of Cecil F. Gummer and Dorcas M. Gerow. Loving wife of the late Ivan F. Buchanan and cherished partner of William A. Pratt. Predeceased by her sisters Marald E. Dinning and Evelyn D. Whaley and brother William H. Gummer. She leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews; Robert Dinning (June), Barry Dinning, Carolyn Atkins (the late Bob), Richard Whaley, Dianne Knight (Ron), Linda Whaley, Shirley Evans (Gary), and predeceased by Ronald Dinning (Marilyn). Also survived by several great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces and great great nephews. A school teacher for 40 years having taught at Black’s School, Wades’ Corner School, Purdy’s School, Lakeport School and Colborne Public School. These schools gave her an opportunity to touch many lives of numerous children. A member of the Retired Teachers of Ontario and Retired Women Teachers of Ontario and Castleton United Church. A public graveside service will be held at Salem Cemetery on Friday at 11am. With Covid restrictions, all those wishing to attend must RSVP at the MacCoubrey Funeral Home website at www.MacCoubrey.com. Those wishing may make a memorial donation to the Campbellford Memorial Hospital or the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation.
Mrs Buchanan was my Principal / Teacher from grade 3 through grade 8 at Lakeport school. I often seen her the following years at Church socials and dinners. I always had a lot of respect for this special lady! I wasn’t the best student but she was the best teacher! She will be missed by many! My condolences to Bill and all her family!
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
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A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Rest in piece Mrs Buchanan she was one of my teachers in Colborne Public School my condolences to her family
Mary played an important role in our lives. She was our teacher at the Lakeport school and she also taught other members of our families. Later on, I had a chance to teach with her at the Colborne school where we formed a bond that lasted for many years. With the wonderful addition of Bill in her life, Terry and I went back and forth for visits and tea parties. We will not forget her insight and wisdom. We send condolences to Bill and the family. A donation has been sent to Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
Saddened to read about this passing. Mrs. Buchanan was my third grade teacher in Colborne and always commanded much respect of her students. She taught us many valuable life lessons and she will be missed.
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Mrs. Buchanan was a wonderful teacher who touched and shaped many lives.
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My deepest condolences to the family. Mrs Buchanan was my Grade 5 teacher at Lakeport School!!She was the absolute best teacher I ever had. She was very hard on me and years later I thanked her.The world has lost a beautiful human being. Much LOVE and 🙏.respect.
May your memories and the ones that your family and friends share with you, help you today and in the days to come. Our sincerest sympathy to all of you.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
Our sincerest sympathies to Bill and to Mary's family during this difficult time. Hold tight to you wonderful memories.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
I am so sorry that I missed saying goodbye to this wonderful lady. I will miss the times we spent together and cherish the memories I have of her. She was a very special lady.
So very sorry to hear about Mary--she will be sadly missed by all. We will miss seeing her at the suppers no matter where they were held. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless--Bobby Clark
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
I wish to extend my sincere condolences to you Bill and to Mary's Family. Mary was a special lady and will be missed.
I have such fond memories of Mrs. Buchanan as she was my teacher from Grade 1 to Grade 8 at Lakeport School. As someone else commented - I will never forget the pencils in her hair bun! If there were more teachers like her, our world would be so much better. Rest in Peace. Our condolences to Bill and the family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Dear bill and family We are sorry to hear this sad news May her memories give you joy. Blessings. Sue and joe la berge.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Mrs. Buchanan, as we called her, was my teacher in the original Lakeport School in 1952-53. I remember her fondly as a very good teacher who brooked no nonsense from her students. She was high energy and always seemed up and cheerful. I enjoyed being in her class. Working weekends at the IGA in Colborne, I would often have occasion to see her, and carry her groceries to her car. On one such occasion, when I was probably in grade 11, I told her that I was thinking of going to Teachers College the summer after grade 12 to become a teacher. I thought this would get her approval. Her immediate response to me was "Don't you dare! You stay in school, graduate, and go to University!" I have never forgotten that admonition, (it set me back a bit at the time) and it, along with others, persuaded me that I might go to University (even though I thought it out of my reach) and I eventually went off to Queens. With my degree in Mathematics I too became a teacher. Thank you Mary Buchanan! Rest well. Condolences to Bill and their families
After many years of friendship we are sorry for your lost Bill. Your Hartford friends, Marion, Rupert and Ian.
John & I send our sincere condolences to you Bill on the passing of Mary.I will certainly miss saying hello to her at RTO functions.Carolyn,Richard,Dianne & Linda——our family connections go way back.Your aunt Mary will have left you with wonderful memories to cherish forever.Blessings to you all.
My deepest condolences to the family.. Mrs Buchanan was my 3rd grade teacher .. I will always remember her and how she tried so hard to give us the best education.. she always knew me later in life and it was always a pleasure to see her in passing .. will miss her ...
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
So sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. Mary was a good friend of my parents and used to baby sit me. I was always fascinated by the silver and gold chains she used for her glasses. Mary was a kind and lovely lady and will be missed.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
It is difficult to sum up Mary's influence on her students life. I also attended Lakeport Elementary from the first grade one class in the new building. Ruth Cowie taught the first 4 grades and then on to Mrs. Buchanan's room for grade 5 through 8. I didn't appreciate it at the time but have since realized the great guidance I received from both teachers. I also had the privilege to know Mary as a customer (I checked my math thoroughly) and of course Bill and Mary at numerous neighbourhood functions. To Bill and Mary's family our sincere condolences.
Bill & Mary’s family on behalf of Dan and I and our family, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to you all. Mary was a very wonderful and sincere lady. I’m sure you will all miss her very much, but most especially you, Bill who has lost a very dear companion from over the past number of years.
We extend our sincerest condolences to you Bill and family. There have been too many times to count, our time spent with Mary. She went from my teacher to our lifelong friend. There won't be another like her in my lifetime. Bill, you were a great team. XX Butch & Elaine
Sorry to hear about Mary's passing away. She was a beautiful person. Valerie Smith from Castleton United Church
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Bill and Mary's family. Mary was a lovely lady and will be missed by many. Take care, Linda & Dan
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
My heartfelt sympathy to Bill and Mrs.Buchanan's family--she was my teacher grade 4-8 at Lakeport Public School---best I ever had-Mary and Bill were made for each other and whenever we saw each other lots of smiles and laughter---I will cherish the conversations we had over the years---Randy
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Sorry to hear of your loss Bill - we are thinking of you. Jim and Carol Varcoe
I knew Mary all my life as she and my mother epitomized the term "career teacher". Reading all the messages of condolence I can not help but think what a wonderful legacy to her personal life and career. Mary, you will be missed.
Last time we were able to see Mary was at her friend Margaret Stimers funeral .Sorry to hear about Mary she was a beautiful person just like he best friend Marg. Prayers and our thoughts are with you at this time Bill. Bob and Susan Clement .
Bill and family.....we are very sorry to hear about Mary's passing. I enjoyed many church lunches in Wooler with you both. She most definitely will be missed. Love Krista and Wayne McCrory
Bill, I am so sorry to hear of Mary;s passing. I always enjoyed seeing the two of you at church functions, Diners lunches and at the Legion. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear about Mary passing. You two complimented each other. So much fun to see you both at the Legion dinners. You took great care of her Bill. She was a treasure and will be missed by many.
Witty, gracious, a teacher who was a task master and made you want to learn and do well. She was phenomenal! My memories are many, spanning from Lakeport school, (teaching grades 4/5 along with Mrs. Cowie), where she was NEVER without pencils and pens tucked neatly in her bun of hair, right up to her enjoying the social times at the Diner's Club lunches. Oh for students of today to be able to have a teacher such as she.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
Happy to see your Mom lived such a long life. I went to Lakeport school and recognized her instantly RIP
I remember her at Colborne school she was my 4th grade teacher.A nice lady
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
Sincere condolences Bill and family on your loss of a special lady. Mary ( Mrs Buchanan) taught me from Grade one through Grade eight and I loved going to school because of her . She tutored me in Algebra in Grade twelve and I managed to get a pass thanks to her. She had a big influence in my life and I will treasure her love and caring forever.
My condolences Bill and Mary's family. Mary was a remarkable lady who touched so many. She will be missed by her friends and acquaintances at the RTO luncheons. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
We are so sorry for your loss Bill and family. Mary was an amazing woman and will be missed by all that had the pleasure to know her.
Bill so sorry for the passing of your partner. Thoughts and prayers are with you Diane so sorry for the passing of your aunt. Thoughts and prayers to all
So very sad to hear of Aunt Mary's passing. She certainly was a very special person in my life and I will truly miss her. My thoughts are with Bill and the family.
Sincere condolences to you Bill as well as to Mary's family. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Condolence's to Bill and her extended family. My thoughts are with you.
Bill I was so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing . She was a lovely lady.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you..our sincere condolences..Rosemary and Jamie Taylor..
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
Mary Buchanan was my grade one teacher in 1951 at Pine Grove School, Cramahe Township. There were almost 30 students, across 8 grades, all in the single room. However she coped is a miracle! She was a great teacher. Bill Pratt, at the same school, taught me in grades 7 and 8. He was also a great teacher, and he significantly helped direct me into who I am today. We three were last together in 2019, at Cramahe Public Library, for the launch of my family memoir. Bill, I am sorry to hear of your loss. Bill Metcalf, Australia
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. My sincere condolences to all of her family. Mary taught me Grade 5 at Lakeport School in 1969/70. I have great memories of her as a teacher and it was a privilege to have known her in adult as well.
There will be a lot of good memories for Mary`s family to enjoy and laugh about. As will, the many that you and Mary made over the years, William. My condolences, Anne
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and Bill. Mary was truly one of a kind amazing woman who will be missed by so many.
Many , many memories of this dedicated and caring teacher. No student was left behind but achieved their full potential under her care. To all who knew her she left an indelible impression. Much love to Bill and all of her loving family!
We extend our sincerest sympathy to all of Mary's loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. She was a fine lady. Sincerely, Rick and Cecilia.