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In loving memory of Mavis

Mavis Williamson (McBain)

August 13, 1957 – May 3, 2026
Lived 68 years
Pauls Hill Cemetery · Avonmore, Ontario
Life story

Mavis Anne McBain was born in Ottawa on August 13, 1957. She grew up to live a life of generosity and quiet strength. She was a loving wife to Robert, and a mother to Jason and Colleen. She was also a grandmother and a favourite aunt to many nieces and nephews.

As a proud military wife, Mavis supported her family through many moves. Her family's postings took her from Oromocto, New Brunswick to Lahr, Germany, and later to Miramichi, New Brunswick. She met each new posting with courage, kindness and love, and made a home filled with warmth, laughter and compassion wherever she went. In Miramichi she owned and ran Brunswick Driver Training for 17 years. She also volunteered with Skate Canada, Skate New Brunswick and Scouts Canada.

In Cornwall, Ontario, Mavis was First Vice President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297 and served as its Poppy Chair. She was deeply involved in the Poppy Campaign, the Remembrance Day Parade, Veterans Dinners and the Robbie Burns Dinner. She also joined the regular Friday night Fish & Chips at the Legion. The Legion called her a dear friend and comrade, and said she had a lasting impact on veterans and the community. Calm, patient and always ready to help, she brought warmth to every room.

Mavis loved to travel, and enjoyed international trips and cruises with her family. She also liked going to hockey and baseball games. She died on May 3, 2026, at age 68, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Robert, her son Jason, her daughter Colleen (Ryan) O'Hara, her grandchildren, and her sisters Patsy Ladouceur (Michael) and Karen Chisholm (Angus). Her mother, Helen, died before her.

Lifetime

The world Mavis knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1957
Born August 13
1959
Mavis was 2 when the St. Lawrence Seaway opened
1967
Mavis was 10 when Expo 67 opened in Montreal for Canada's centennial
1976
Mavis was 19 when the Summer Olympics opened in Montreal
1980
Mavis was 23 when Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope across Canada
1992
Mavis was 35 when the Toronto Blue Jays became the first Canadian team to win the World Series
2000
Mavis was 43 when the world entered 2000 with few Y2K computer problems
2010
Mavis was 53 when Sidney Crosby's golden goal won Olympic gold in Vancouver
2022
Mavis was 65 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2026
Passed away May 3, age 68
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Pauls Hill Cemetery
Avonmore, Ontario
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