Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Lydia Scafe

With broken, yet forever grateful and thankful hearts, the family of Mary Elizabeth Lydia Scafe (Geiger), announce her calm and peaceful passing with family by her side, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, at the age of 86.

She is predeceased by the love of her life, Donald Scafe (2014) and her parents Pearl and Delbert Geiger of Zurich Ontario.  She will be missed by her children Michael (Claire), Nancy (Kevin) and Robert (Teresa); her 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  Also grieving her loss are her siblings Norma (Ken); Ruth (Jim); Don; Marg (Dave); and Ralph (Jill).  She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews, good neighbours, and friends.  
 

For the majority of moms career, she worked as the secretary in the Guidance Office at North Middlesex District High School in Parkhill.  She thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with the thousands of young people she met over the years.  She was a proud supporter of many of the athletic teams at the school and was one of the biggest cheerleaders in the stands.
 

Those who knew mom, knew she had a great love of sports, and there wasn't a day that went by, that she wasn't watching some sporting event on TV, whether it was the Toronto Blue Jays, Maple Leafs or Raptors, Nascar racing, tennis, basketball, curling, etc. For many years, she coordinated an annual family bus trip to see a Toronto Blue Jays game.  Those road trips were "epic" and the memories that were made will be forever cherished by all who attended.
 

Mom had been a member of the Canadian Antique Phonograph Society in Toronto; a board member, director and the first and only female president of the Tri County Heritage Club in Ilderton; and was an active member of the North Middlesex Historical Society for many years and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.  Along with dad, she had a love of antiques, and she travelled to many shows across southwestern Ontario with him over the years.
 

Her hands lovingly made many quilts over the years for both children and grandchildren, and as wedding gifts for all her nieces and nephews.  She has also crocheted thousands of blankets, hats and scarves, over the years, and most have been donated to the local thrift store in Ailsa Craig, a church organization in Parkhill, or the Crochet Club of London, for distribution to families who were less fortunate. Her potato salad and homemade marshmallows have always been family favorites and were always eagerly anticipated and enjoyed at family gatherings.  (They did, in fact, both make it to a family camping weekend at the farm as recently as the August 1st long weekend.)   She loved gardening and was fortunate to be able to continue to tend her flowerbeds at her apartment in town. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Welch, Dr. Singh and the staff at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre for their kindness and care over the last 4 years; and to the doctors and nurses at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital for their care, kindness and compassion over the last 10 days.

Honouring Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Denning’s of Strathroy; a private graveside servie with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.
Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation on Mary's behalf, are asked to consider the Verspeeten Family Cancer Program in London, or the Craigwiel Gardens (building a new Craigholme campaign), or a charity of your choice.

Mom made life better for those who knew her, in a thousand quiet ways. She will be forever missed.  

You have joined your block to the quilt of all the loved ones who have gone before you. 
Rest in peace mom.