Obituary of Mary-Anne Elie

ELIE, Mary-Anne - In her 57th year, Mary-Anne is where she wanted to be all her life - somewhere over the rainbow. She passed away at Westmount Gardens following a 35-year battle with multiple sclerosis. Smart, brave, irreverent and very funny, Mary-Anne stayed full of hope and fun even in difficult days. When her voice failed, she continued to communicate a wicked punch line with her eyes. Mary-Anne was an active volunteer when her health allowed. Early adult years in Katimavik took her across Canada and Canada World Youth took her faraway places including Tunisia. She "hooted" as Brownie leader Rainbow Owl, served the Multiple Sclerosis Society in a number of capacities, helped train support workers at Cheshire Home, and kept kind staff at Westmount Gardens on their toes, trying to find new ways to work around her sometimes stubborn nature. Mary-Anne is survived by her loving mother Daphne. She sorely missed her sweet Pap, who cared for her tirelessly for many years and who passed away in January. Mary-Anne loved her siblings dearly - Michael and his wife Paulette, Brian (Robin), Richard (Angela) and Jacqueline (Yehudi). Mary-Anne was for many years, the true doting aunt to Meghan, Kaleb, Justin, Forest, Somer, Nichole and Isaac. Niece Kate held a special place in her heart and made sure that in her final days, Mary-Anne saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat "just one more time". She will be dearly missed by her best friend Ann Hutchison and her husband Peter. The family would like to extend a huge Thank You to all who helped in Mary-Anne's care at Westmount Gardens; in particular Melissa, Kelly and Mary Lou. A memorial visitation will be held at JOHN T. DONOHUE FUNERAL HOME on Tuesday, September 24 from 7 to 9 P.M. Prayers will be said at 7 PM. A Mass of celebration will be said on Wednesday, September 25 at 1 P.M. at St. George Parish. (1164 Commissioners Road West, London). In lieu of flowers, Mary-Anne would ask that you support the M.S. Society in her name. Mary-Anne - May the dreams you dare to dream really do come true.