Peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Evergreen Retirement Community, Mississauga, ON with her son by her side.
Beloved mother of sons John of Orangeville, ON and Jim of Mississauga, ON. Predeceased by her husband of 51 years Gordon (2009) and parents Francis Joseph Anthony Le May (1964) and Florence May (Hanley) Le May (1969)
From the family home at 48 Maple Street, Marie served the Collingwood community for most of her adult life, as a teacher, librarian, local historian, archivist and author.
Born in Collingwood on January 29, 1927, Marie taught elementary school at St. Mary's in Collingwood, St. Catharines and Kingston before moving back to Maple Street in 1966.
After spending many years raising an autistic child, Marie started a second career at the Collingwood Public Library, completed her university degree and founded the Local History Department. During her 19 years there, she assisted hundreds of residents and visitors trace their local origins through the use of archives and geneological tools, before retiring again at age 80.
Her volunteer activities were many, including the General & Marine Hospital (book delivery), Canadian Cancer Society (canvasser), Collingwood Horticultural Society (avid gardener) and Collingwood Historical Society (Life Member)
Marie contributed the narrative to the historical "easel boards" on Hurontario Street, in front of the Town Hall, Post Office and other sites. She delivered numerous slide shows to the Historical Society on key contributors to the town's growth, including the Long Brothers, the Shipyards and the railway. She even wrote a book, "Come to the Fair" (2005), a lively account of the 150 year history of the Great Northern Exhibition.
Before extreme old age took its inevitable toll, Marie had an encyclopedic knowledge of local history, which she always shared with warmth and humour.
Above all else, Marie was a kind and gentle soul who would never boast. Those who knew her best, however, knew greatness, and will miss her every day, for all of their days to come.