Peacefully at home, after a brief illness.
Wife to Graham, mother of Brent (Monique) and David (Fiona), and devoted grandma of Claire and Megan. Survived by her sister Florence Jarrett in North York, Ontario.
The fourth of five children, Mari McWhirter grew up in Millikin on the northern edge of Toronto and was a champion sprinter. An adventurous and independent young woman, Mari traveled across Canada and North America, working on the Columbia Icefields, road tripping to Mexico, and hitching rides on logging trucks from Tofino. Eager to escape rainy Vancouver after a year, she set out for Montreal. There, she met Graham Rubeli, the love of her life. They married in 1965, moved to Ottawa in 1968, and lived in the same house for over 50 years.
Mari had an amazingly varied career. She graduated from Journalism at Ryerson Polytechnic, and found work as a journalist, advertising copywriter, public relations officer, and entrepreneur. In Montreal, she famously interviewed Edith Piaf. in Ottawa in the mid 70s, she handled PR for the opening of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. In 1982, to aid Vietnamese refugees, Mari and two friends founded Clothes Encounters of a Second Time, a consignment boutique that remains a fixture on Beechwood Avenue today.
Mari was devoted to her children, family and friends. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed hosting dinners and get-togethers at her beloved home in Ottawa and lunches and apres ski at Mont Tremblant. Her many passions included theater, jazz, mystery novels, gardening, baseball, skiing, tennis and golf.
Mari and Graham traveled the world together, regularly visiting Graham’s family and friends in Australia,road-tripping to Florida, and exploring New Zealand, Fji, Hawaii, the UK, Israel, Jordan, and Malta. They were frequent visitors to Vancouver to see their beloved granddaughters before retiring at their Ottawa home.
When Parkinson’s Disease cramped Graham’s style in the last 15 years of his life, Mari devoted herself to his care and held strong to her vision that they stay at home. All who knew her were inspired by Mari’s strength and resilience as she overcame breast cancer in 2019 and recovered from a hip replacement in 2023 in record time, all the while caring for the person she loved most.
Our thanks go out to the devoted personal support workers who supported Mari over the last five years as she cared for Graham; Esperance, Bayu, Sylvia, Ann-Marie; and also to Drs. A. Dauksza, J.F. Hilton, J. Brodeur, and the devoted nursing team at Bytown Palliative Medicine.
A celebration of Mari’s life will follow in the Summer. Donations can be made to Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa Community Services Organization, Breast Cancer Action Ottawa, or a charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
Jerry Hodges
Sandra Hallows
Sincere condolences to Brent and David . Peter and I had a wonderful visit to Ottowa and also to Mount Tremblant in the1980s, plus catching up with Mari and Graham when they were home to visit family and friends in Melbourne. We also kept in touch with Christmas letters
Bonnie O'Dacre
Mari and I met at Ryerson in 1957 and remained friends through babies, jobs and all life’s transitions. A strong, independent woman, she always knew where she was heading and the best way of getting there. We stood in awe.
My condolences to Brent and David and their families and a loving word to Florence who will deeply miss her sister.
Bonnie O’Dacre
Leo & Gloria Bortolotti
Leo worked with Graham for many years at
Adjelian Allen &Rubeli.
We became friends, always remember asking Graham to sing waltzing Matilda at AAR Xmas parties …, David & Brent our sincere condolences
Michael & Daniela Petrescu-Comnene
I consider Graham as one of my mentors while adjusting to life in Canada. Over the years, we became friends. We will always remember Mary with her cheerful, and tactful guidance, her endless energy. Our sincere condolences Brent and david.
George and Marguerite King
A sad time for both of us. We both became friends with both Mari and Graham before they married, and before we married, and that friendship continued for over 60 years. We will miss them greatly.
I have very fond memories of time spent at Lake Massawippi with Grahame and Mari. So sad to lose such special friends. Our condolences to the family.