Mary Catherine Walker (née Atkinson) of London, Ontario passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, with her beloved husband and soulmate Jim Walker by her side. She was born May 1, 1936 in London, Ontario to Joe and Catherine Atkinson.
Mary is lovingly remembered by her son Donald Kerr (Kathy); her grandchildren Ryan (Lauren) and Kailyn of Mt. Brydges, ON; and her daughter Karen Bromby (Alan) of Cochrane, AB.
In her younger years Mary’s father Joe spent a lot of time with her - fishing and teaching her to be a fastball pitcher. She went on to pitch in a Woman’s Baseball league. She learned to love the outdoors through Joe. She also sang in a church choir for many years. Mary had a beautiful voice.
Mary devoted much of her life to education. After attending Teachers College, she taught in one-room schoolhouses in the London area and later continued teaching as a substitute teacher. In her late 30s she discovered a passion for interior design, self-publishing a beginner’s book and teaching the subject through Fanshawe College’s Continuing Education program while also working with flooring and construction companies selecting palettes for builders. She had her own column in the London Free Press called Let’s Decorate well into her 50s.
She also loved the outdoors and adventure. Mary taught the Earth Keepers program to youth at the George White Centre in the 90s. She traveled to the Arctic where she experienced life in igloos and dog sledding, spent time with a Shaman guide in the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico and worked along a trap line in Labrador—experiences that inspired her book The Lady and the Trapper and a follow-up book called Does your Box Have Hinges?
Mary enjoyed playing Scrabble with Jim almost every evening. Her guiding motto in life was: “Live By Nature.” John 14:1-4 Jesus Comforts his Disciples.
Logan Funeral Home (519-433-6181) entrusted with arrangements.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca .