Maria (Mary Mariska) Kiss

Mary Kiss (Török) was born on September 7, 1926 in Végardo, Sarospatak, Hungary. She passed away peacefully at University Hospital in London Ontario. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of 34 years, Laszlo (Laci) Kiss (1994). She leaves behind her daughter and only child, Marika (Randy) Wilton, and her two granddaughters, Maranda and Gillian.

Mary was the eldest and last living member of eight siblings. She came to Canada on May 22nd 1957 after the Hungarian Revolution alongside her brother, Andrew (Bandi). She will be greatly missed by her family and friends in Hungary, the United States, and Canada.

Mary spent her career of 25 years working at St. Joseph’s Hospital between the Nursing Residence and Food and Nutrition Services. After her retirement she devoted her time to her beloved granddaughters, enjoying her vegetable garden, cooking, baking, and sharing her Hungarian traditions with her family.   

In 2014 Mary was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer which she courageously battled and overcame in 2015. She was one of the first recipients of robotic colorectal surgery, performed by Dr. Nawar Alkhamesi at University Hospital, which was an accomplishment that has contributed to advancements in the medical industry. 

Mary will forever be remembered by her strength, tenacity, unconditional love, ability to walk everywhere (with her buggy... AKA her ‘Cadillac’), her greeting of “hello hello”, and love for signing Christmas songs all year long. 

We would like to thank the staff at Kensington Village Retirement for their incredible support and care they provided Mary for the past four years, and the ER staff at University Hospital for making Mary comfortable in her final hours. The family would also like to thank Dr. John Gonder, Dr. Cheryl Lethern and Dr. Tara Walker for their specialized care of Mary over the years.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to the following foundations;  London Health Sciences Foundation at https://lhsf.ca/  - directed to the Alkhamesi Colorectal Program or to St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation at www.sjhc.london.on.ca/foundation - directed to the Opthalmic Education Fund - Dr. John Gonder or to Colorectal Cancer Canada at www.colorectalcancercanada.com  , or  to the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca , or any charity of your choice would be meaningful to Mary and her family. 

For those who cannot attend the service in person, it will be live streamed virtually at 11:00 AM through the following link: https://st-patricks-london.click2stream.com

Visitors will be received on Thursday, August 17, 2023  from 9:30 a.m.  to 10:30 a.m. in the O’Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, 377 Oakland Ave., London, on Thursday, August 17 at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London.

Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca