Obituary of Teresa Alary

Born on July 22, 1926, in Glen Nevis in the county of Glengarry, Ontario she passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025, in the Windsor Elms Village, Falmouth. Third oldest from her parents, the late Mary Ann McDougal and Roderick A. R. McDonell, she was predeceased by siblings, Woodrow MacDonnell (Evelyn), Myrtle O’Hare (Thomas), Donald MacDonnell and Norma MacDonnell; and sadly by her daughter, Glenda Ann Crocco.

Teresa is survived by her sister, Loretta Beasant (Gilmore); her beloved husband of seventy years, the remarkable E. Vincent Alary; son, Kevin; daughter, Mary Catherine; son-in-law, Ronald Crocco (Rosanna); co-sister-in-law, Rosanne Hundt (Steve); grandchildren, Carolyn Passafiume (Blair Passafiume), Andrea Crocco (Jacob Friest), Sean Hundt (Mel), Matthew Hundt (Karen) and Fahad Pinto (Nehan); great-grandchildren, Joel and Penelope Passafiume and Kayra Pinto; nieces, Marlene Giguere (Claude), Valerie Mullins, Diane Orton, Mary Granato, Mary Preville (Peter) and Jane George; nephews, Dale MacDonnell, Raymond Mahoney (Joyce)  Michael Mahoney (Carolyn), Gerry Preville (Charlotte), Kenneth Preville (Lucy), Ralph Crabbe, Ronald Crabbe, John Crabbe, David Alary, Steven, Susan and Paul Johnathan Alary; and many cherished cousins.

As a valued member of her community, regardless of where she lived, Teresa touched everyone she encountered through her kindness, thoughtfulness and unwavering devotion to her family and her faith.

For those who knew her well, Teresa’s heart always remained rooted in her beloved childhood home of Glen Nevis and the family farm on the Sixth Concession. In a close-knit Scottish immigrant community where everyone was Mc or Mac, a last name was no help in sorting out which family you were from. The custom was to use the first names of the paternal line back three generations so her name to locals was “Teresa-Roddy-Alec-Rory” or “one of the Rod Girls”. Glengarry is a special place she carried with her wherever life took her and Teresa has chosen to go home to be buried at St. Margaret’s of Scotland Church graveyard. She had a deep love for her Scottish roots and music, which brought her comfort, joy and a sense of connection to her heritage. Those melodies reflected her spirit: steadfast, soulful and enduring.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Teresa lived her beliefs through her actions. Her faith guided her life, sustained her through challenges and shaped the way she cared about others. She demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her life, meeting each season and life transition with quiet strength, grace and an unshakable trust in God's plan.

After graduating from Iona Academy (commercial college), Teresa moved to Montreal to work initially as a stenographer and later as a secretary at Royal Typewriter and Grinnell. She met Vincent at a tennis club and they married in 1955 setting up house in the Town of Mount Royal. Teresa volunteered with the Montreal Diet Dispensary which provided services to expectant mothers and families living in poverty. 

After Expo ’67 the family moved to Toronto where Teresa started her long career as an elementary school secretary with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She loved interacting with and supporting children - many stole her heart. Her new parish community of Holy Spirit Church became the gateway to making many new friends. Teresa was active in the Catholic Women’s League and church committees. A highlight was her work providing housing and support for Vietnamese ‘Boat People’. As a member of St. Aidan’s Parish in Agincourt, she was asked to become an Extraordinary Minister of Communion at Mass, which she did for many years. She also accompanied Vince delivering the Eucharist to people unable to attend Mass. This calling was important to both of them.

During this time Teresa felt the call “Come to Me” which led her to the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order where, as a lay Carmelite, she was dedicated to daily devotion of prayer (the holy office) and reflection, as well as daily attendance at Mass for more than 30 years.

Most people will remember Teresa for her hospitality. In addition to being a fabulous cook and baker her creative side was expressed by fantastic tablescapes and amazing decorations for every season or occasion. Teresa did not need an occasion to host a party; if she spotted folks from out of town in church she’d press a calling card into their palm inviting them back to the house for coffee and treats. She and Vince hosted many open house events and parties through the years. Very active in their children’s lives Teresa would make beautiful clothes and costumes for them.

In her nineties when she could no longer host elaborate dinner parties, Teresa and Vince continued to invite friends into their home for cocktails, appetizers and good fun. She lined-danced and did swim-nastics with other residents in her condo community twice a week until Covid changed everything.

In 2022, she made the move to Windsor, Nova Scotia, a transition marked by both courage and love. This difficult move away from family and friends realized her remaining years could be spent with Vince, her kids, Kevin and Mary Catherine, under one multigenerational roof. Being together meant that her changing health challenges could be shared with the help of her family. Family was always at the centre of her life and she treasured every moment spent together.

Known for always being impeccably put together, Teresa carried herself with dignity and pride. More importantly, she carried herself with a kindness that made others feel valued and cared for. She was always there for someone in need: offering help, encouragement, a batch of banana muffins, or simply her steady presence. Her life is defined not by grand gestures, but by countless acts of thoughtfulness that touched every person she met.

To know Teresa was to feel welcomed. She and Vince had a rare and generous gift for turning strangers into family and friends into lifelong kin. Nowhere was this more evident than in the way they lovingly “adopted” grandchildren - whether by blood, marriage, friendship, or simple circumstance. If someone needed a grandparents’ warmth, encouragement, or pride, both Teresa and Vince stepped in without hesitation. No one was ever left out, overlooked or unloved.

No matter where they resided, Teresa and Vince’s home was a place of open doors and open arms, where laughter was plentiful and belonging was guaranteed. Teresa believed that family was not limited to names on a family tree, but expanded through kindness, consistency, and love freely given. Many proudly called her “Grandma”, “Mother Teresa” -as a cherished nickname - not because they had to, but because it felt right.

Her memory is marked by unwavering service, deep faith and enduring love. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the lives she touched, the family she adored and the community she helped shape. Teresa’s friends are too numerous to name here but are remembered by her family and remain in her heart and soul.

She leaves behind a powerful example of what it means to live a life devoted to others.

The family wish to express special thanks to the incredible and unwavering support from all the loving caregivers and health care team members who nurtured Teresa in her final years:

R&G Infinite Hearts Homecare team led by the caring, compassionate and extraordinary Leslie MacDonald-Harvey, with Christine, Faith, Ina, Paulette, Wanda, Lynn, Vivian, Zoe, Emmy, Heather, Maddison, Jackie, Anna, Jenn, Angie, Kristen, Noala, Samantha and Brooke.

ParaMedHome Healthcare Services including Dakota, Darcy, Sandra, Melanie, Quinn, Monica, Emmy, Reana, Tasha, Frances, Harsha, Parminder, Rebecca, Ansubenny, Marilyn, Jackie, Serena, Mags, Preet, Frances, Katie, Marilyn, Anna, Michelle, Francis, Karen and Brooke.

Hants Community Hospital staff, such as Emergency Department administrators, Nurses, Doctors, Environmental Services, Lab and Imaging personnel. UNIT 500 team, including but not limited to: Chloe, Christa, Amanda, Holly, Jackie, Elizabeth, Megan, Victoria, Carol, Elizabeth, Holly, Kayleigh, Cheryl, Lacy, Brook, Cheryl, Katie, Meghan, Annette, Nicole, Taylor and Sam.

Windsor Elms Village stellar personnel, Joanne, Christine, Stephanie, Zoe, Shannon, Aaliyah, Jordan, Jenna, Karen, Emma, Shana Lee, Dorothy, René, Andrea, Carrie, Starr, Danielle, Caitlin, Anne, Wendy, Bailey, Hart, Linda, Jason, Joanna, Cheryl, Melissa, Michaela, Mallory, Jamie, Carolyn and many others.

Physicians: Dr. Joel F. Young (and staff at Harvest Tides Family Practice), Dr. Nick Williams, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Dr. Mark Kazimirski, Dr. Ward MacDonald, Dr. Cassandra MacLean and Dr. Adrienne Wood.

As well as her top to bottom team: Michelle Petipas foot care nurse extraordinaire and Amanda Burgess, understanding and patient hairstylist.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Windsor):  Mary Decost and Ann Troke for their ministry of the Eucharist to the home-bound, Father Keith Billard for his home visits and Father Al Ray Compuesto for celebrating Teresa’s funeral Mass.

St. Aidan’s Catholic Church (Scarborough): Rev. Steven Szakaczki for his years of friendship and celebrant of Teresa’s upcoming Toronto memorial Mass.

DeMont Family Funeral Home: Josh Noiles and the DeMont Family for their gentle care and preparations for her disposition.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m., Monday, December 29 in Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 339 King St., Windsor. A reception will follow immediately in DeMont Family Funeral Home’s Elmcroft Reception Centre, 419 Albert St., Windsor. A second memorial mass/celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aidan Catholic Church, 3501 Finch Ave East, Scarborough, Ontario. Refreshments to follow in the church hall. An internment will occur privately at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Teresa’s memory may be made to Chalice Canada Projects and Programs, 101-26 Union St., Bedford, NS B4A 2B5, 1 (800) 776-6855, www.chalicecanada.ca. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca

“Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone” - unknown