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Lois O'Mara
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Obituary for Lois O'Mara (Machan)

Lois  O'Mara (Machan)
Lois O'Mara ~ At Listowel Memorial Hospital on Thursday, December 1, 2011, Mrs. Mary Lois (Machan) O'Mara, of Listowel and formerly of London, in her 86th year.

Beloved wife of the late Jack O'Mara, and the late Doug Whitfield. Mother of Peter and Anabelle Rung of Toronto, and Tom Whitfield of Qualicum Beach, B.C., and mother-in-law of Margaret Paton of London.

Step-mother of Janice and Dan Wighton of London, and Richard and Wendy O'Mara of Barrie.

Grandmother of Ben, Kate, and Jesse Whitfield, and step-grandmother of Kendra and Kelsey Wighton.

Sister of Jean Dunn, and Glenna Weber, both of Listowel.

Predeceased by her son Greg Whitfield, her stepson Robert O'Mara, and by her brothers Willis and Ralph Machan.

Visitation will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. where the funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at 11:00 a.m.

Following cremation, interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Listowel.

Memorial donations to Parkinson Society would be appreciated.

MARY LOIS O'MARA, WHITFIELD, MACHAN
1926 - 2011
Married to Jack for almost 20 years and married to Doug for over 30 years. She reminded me often: Be a good citizen. She visited elderly friends in retirement homes - for years. She taught me to respect older people. She volunteered for many years, as did Jack and delivered food to the elderly through Meals on Wheels. She was a trail blazer for women in business in the early 70's and sat on the London/Middlesex Real Estate Board. I was always so proud of her accomplishments as a Realtor and Broker Owner of Whitfield Realty in London. She will continue to be an inspiration to me in my own real estate career in BC. I called her every night about 9pm and the first question she excitedly asked was "What did I sell today?" "What is happening with this or that client?" "How much did that deal go for?" and of course..."How much did I make on the deal?" Then we talk about her day.
Lately, the Parkinson's was causing her to be forgetful. She had trouble remembering words and even what she did do that day. But then, she would remember and be ok. Lois was driven to succeed. This likely helped her to fight the Parkinson's.
She loved her family very much. Listowel and London were home. As a young kid, I travelled to Listowel with her so many times, to see family. She was always good to pull over to the shoulder for a few minutes to rest on the way home if she got drowsy. She was always on the go. She had loads of energy, even at the very end. At the retirement home she would check in on the other residents to see how they were doing.
She wanted her kids and grandkids to be educated. That was important. Working hard and being committed were important. So was saving money for the future. She taught us that.
As a Mom, she was a lot of fun! Her striking beauty even got us favours. And she was forceful and persuasive. I remember - at Expo '67 - the long line-ups - she spoke to security guards and somehow they would let us bypass huge line-ups and open side doors to get us in ahead of everyone else. Gosh, I felt she must be important.
She insisted that Greg and I learned to cook and clean the house. We would peel the potatoes and have vegetables on the stove for dinner. On Saturday mornings we cleaned house and cut the grass for our allowance. A portion would go into our bank accounts. She taught us to manage money.
She had to be strong and experienced a near-crippling tragedy in 1989 with the loss of Greg, just before his 40th birthday. She came close to losing it - but then a miracle occurred. She and Peter found each other. She had lost one son and then found another within two weeks! The timing was incredible.
Mom and Dad were divorced by them and she struggled with loneliness. After several years on her own, she found Jack and his family: Richard, Robert, Jannie and eventually grandkids! She loved grandkids and wished she had more. She was so proud of Ben, Kate, Jesse, Kendra and Kelsey. She always wanted me to get married...again...and...again and...maybe again...and to have more kids!
"Geez" - I've been so busy getting educated, being a single dad, trying to be successful and make a lot of money so I could save, plus cleaning house and being a good citizen...who had time?
She really does believe in God. She has always tried to get me to church. She also thought I would meet someone very special there - maybe I should go...
Mom has always believed she will see Greg again after she goes. She has received comfort and acceptance in this. It has helped her over the years and now.
Lois loved to shop, especially if on sale. Up to last Thursday night, we were planning her Christmas trip to my home in BC. She thought she needed new shoes, and maybe a new dress. She loved nice clothes, so did Doug. It's easy to see where Peter gets his fashion sense from - both Lois and Doug! She was a very classy lady and always looked sharp!
Also discussed several times recently was which church we should go to Christmas Eve.
Of course, the one with the best choir!
I'm so glad she came to BC in August and that I came to Listowel for the Machan family picnic. She had said she wanted to see Tom's place one more time. Jesse and I have many good memories and photos. She helped me a lot with raising Jesse as a single dad. Mom and Jesse always played cards. She was a big card player. Her house was often filled with guests and a game of bridge was usually going strong.
Mom knew success and happiness in many forms. She taught us well and laid a good foundation. She also knew heartbreak, sorrow and regret. She lived a very full life - I have always been so very proud of her. She wrote: "Look into the eyes of my children and grandchildren and you will see me there." She also wrote: "Don't grieve for me - I will be with Greg."
She is my inspiration and strength!
Mom, say hello to Greg from all of us...
Tom

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Life Story for Lois O'Mara (Machan)

MARY LOIS O'MARA, WHITFIELD, MACHAN
1926 - 2011
Married to Jack for almost 20 years and married to Doug for over 30 years. She reminded me often: Be a good citizen. She visited elderly friends in retirement homes - for years. She taught me to respect older
people. She volunteered for many years, as did Jack and delivered food to the elderly through Meals on Wheels. She was a trail blazer for women in business in the early 70's and sat on the London/Middlesex Real Estate Board. I was always so proud of her accomplishments as a Realtor and Broker Owner of Whitfield Realty in London. She will continue to be an inspiration to me in my own real estate career in BC. I called her every night about 9pm and the first question she excitedly asked was "What did I sell today?" "What is happening with this or that client?" "How much did that deal go for?" and of course..."How much did I make on the deal?" Then we talk about her day.
Lately, the Parkinson's was causing her to be forgetful. She had trouble remembering words and even what she did do that day. But then, she would remember and be ok. Lois was driven to succeed. This likely helped her to fight the Parkinson's.
She loved her family very much. Listowel and London were home. As a young kid, I travelled to Listowel with her so many times, to see family. She was always good to pull over to the shoulder for a few minutes to rest on the way home if she got drowsy. She was always on the go. She had loads of energy, even at the very end. At the retirement home she would check in on the other residents to see how they were doing.
She wanted her kids and grandkids to be educated. That was important. Working hard and being committed were important. So was saving money for the future. She taught us that.
As a Mom, she was a lot of fun! Her striking beauty even got us favours. And she was forceful and persuasive. I remember - at Expo '67 - the long line-ups - she spoke to security guards and somehow they would let us bypass huge line-ups and open side doors to get us in ahead of everyone else. Gosh, I felt she must be important.
She insisted that Greg and I learned to cook and clean the house. We would peel the potatoes and have vegetables on the stove for dinner. On Saturday mornings we cleaned house and cut the grass for our allowance. A portion would go into our bank accounts. She taught us to manage money.
She had to be strong and experienced a near-crippling tragedy in 1989 with the loss of Greg, just before his 40th birthday. She came close to losing it - but then a miracle occurred. She and Peter found each other. She had lost one son and then found another within two weeks! The timing was incredible.
Mom and Dad were divorced by them and she struggled with loneliness. After several years on her own, she found Jack and his family: Richard, Robert, Jannie and eventually grandkids! She loved grandkids and wished she had more. She was so proud of Ben, Kate, Jesse, Kendra and Kelsey. She always wanted me to get married...again...and...again and...maybe again...and to have more kids!
"Geez" - I've been so busy getting educated, being a single dad, trying to be successful and make a lot of money so I could save, plus cleaning house and being a good citizen...who had time?
She really does believe in God. She has always tried to get me to church. She also thought I would meet someone very special there - maybe I should go...
Mom has always believed she will see Greg again after she goes. She has received comfort and acceptance in this. It has helped her over the years and now.
Lois loved to shop, especially if on sale. Up to last Thursday night, we were planning her Christmas trip to my home in BC. She thought she needed new shoes, and maybe a new dress. She loved nice clothes, so did Doug. It's easy to see where Peter gets his fashion sense from - both Lois and Doug! She was a very classy lady and always looked sharp!
Also discussed several times recently was which church we should go to Christmas Eve.
Of course, the one with the best choir!
I'm so glad she came to BC in August and that I came to Listowel for the Machan family picnic. She had said she wanted to see Tom's place one more time. Jesse and I have many good memories and photos. She helped me a lot with raising Jesse as a single dad. Mom and Jesse always played cards. She was a big card player. Her house was often filled with guests and a game of bridge was usually going strong.
Mom knew success and happiness in many forms. She taught us well and laid a good foundation. She also knew heartbreak, sorrow and regret. She lived a very full life - I have always been so very proud of her. She wrote: "Look into the eyes of my children and grandchildren and you will see me there." She also wrote: "Don't grieve for me - I will be with Greg."
She is my inspiration and strength!
Mom, say hello to Greg from all of us...
Tom

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