With family by her side, Mary Ortlieb (nee Loroff) passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 101 years of age.
Mary is survived by her two children – her son, Jerry Ortlieb and his wife Joan, her daughter Carol Bourgouin and her husband Michel.
Also mourning their Nanny’s passing are her grandchildren – Miranda and husband Danny Magoci and their children, Logan, Emily and Nina all from Calgary, AB; Kevin Ortlieb from Port Carling, ON; Whitney and Mat Allan and their daughter Keira from Thunder Bay; and Ashley Bourgouin from Keewatin.
Mary is also survived by her only remaining in-laws, Helen Ortlieb of Kenora, and Albertine Butcher of Amhurstberg, ON, and by many nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, John Ortlieb in January 2000, and all her siblings and their spouses – Frank & Mary Loroff, John & Margaret Loroff, Helen & Robert Wurm, Edith & Mike Hrabok, Katie & Arnold Bunz and Paul & Matilda Loroff.
Mary and her husband John moved to Kenora from Saskatchewan shortly after their marriage in 1946. They settled in Keewatin and were lifelong residents ever since.
As well as being a loving mother, Mary worked at various locations throughout her life here, most often remembered as the face at McKelvie’s IGA in Keewatin for many years, where she made many long lasting friends. She was an active member of St. Louis Roman Catholic Church in Keewatin, including participating on Parish Council. She was a life time member of the St. Louis/Sacred Heart Catholic Women’s League where she served various positions, including President. She was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #13 Ladies Auxiliary in Keewatin.
Mary and John enjoyed travelling each year to see family – travelling east one year and west the next to see their brothers and sisters in each direction. They enjoyed occasional trips to try their luck at the casinos, where it seemed Mary always came out on top! She continued to enjoy these trips with her “coffee girls” on occasion – enjoying the socializing, but never a big win!
Mary was gifted in many creative ways. She was an excellent cook, and family dinners were a weekly occurrence for many years. She never stopped baking and was still baking bread, cinnamon buns, and pies as she got the urge. Many people in her apartment building were the recipients of her wares.
Mary passed her time and talent by knitting – creating afghans, sweaters, socks, and mitts – most of which were donated or given as gifts.
We celebrated Mary’s 100th birthday last year in 2024 with a large celebration which made her both proud and humbled as so many family and friends joined in her celebration. She was especially proud of nieces and nephews travelling long distances to join in this occasion.
Mary spent her last few days at Pinecrest Home for the Aged where her health care team cared for her with exceptional kindness. Their compassion and care were unparalleled, and we extend our utmost appreciation to all the RNs, RPNs and PSWs that cared for her during that time. We also want to thank all administrative staff who helped us make the transition as smooth as possible. In those short few days you made us feel like family.
A Celebration mass will be held at St. Louis Roman Catholic church in Keewatin on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 11:00a.m., with burial to follow at Lake of the Woods Cemetery.
As Mary was a longtime supporter of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, in lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name to the Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.