Passed peacefully at Jessica’s House, Exeter with her family by her side on April 30, 2022 at the age of 84. Beloved wife of the late Norman Tait (2020). Loving mother of Vaila and Luke Baehnisch, Bev and Gord Collins, Graham Tait and Jenny MacDonald and Rob and Irene Tait. Cherished grandma of Spencer and Leeanne, Marlee and Shawn, Liv and Jesse, Peter, Greg, Curtis and Tara, Justin, Adam, Charlie, Martina and Hannah. Amazing great-grandma of Olivia, Miller, Cali, Maverick, Nash, Emerson, Wilder, Hollis, Landon, Dawson. Fondly remembered by many siblings.
Mary Lou was a dedicated member of the Exeter Pentecostal Church ministering to the congregation through her love for music as a pianist and organist. As a foster mother for over 50 years, her love for the little ones did not go unnoticed. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in her heart. Special thank you to Chartwell Parkhill and Jessica’s House for their care and compassion.
Visitation will be held at the Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William Street, EXETER on Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 PM. Registration is required and appreciated. Please click “Register Now” below, to register. The funeral service will be held at the Haskett Funeral Home, EXETER on Thursday, May 5th at 11 AM. Registration is not required to attend the service. If you are unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join with them from the comfort of your home. Stream the service live by visiting www.facebook.com/haskettfh. Interment Exeter Cemetery.
Donations to the Exeter Community Table or Jessica’s House would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Tom & Ruth(Luoma) Richardson
Ruth and I would like to offer our condolence to the family of Mary Lou Tait, as well as the passing of Norm, her husband. They were always together,no matter where you saw them.
Exeter has lost a shining example of two people in love, always smiling,and going out of their way to say Hi. We may have lost a great example of a couple in love,but Heaven has gained two more Angels.
Sandra Newton
To Mary Lou’s families,
I am fondly remembering Mary Lou, a delightful lady with a joyful, soaring spirit. My deepest sympathy to you at this painful time.
Karen Pietrangelo (Cudmore)
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved mom. May your memories bring you peace
Danny & Nancy Smith
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob and families.
So sorry for your loss.
Our deepest condolences.
Sherry
Dearest Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob & families,
Thinking of you all & remembering an amazing, bubbly, talented, loving & God-fearing lady – Your precious Mom
Love & Prayers,
Sherry Gerber
Liz and Paul
Rob, Irene , Adam, Charlie, Martina, Hannah…and the entire Tait family.
Thinking of all of you during the loss of your mom/grandma. 💕
Stephanie Laferriere
Vaila, Luke and family My sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Frank and Diann Dietrich
Rob, Irene and family,
Our condolences on the passing of your mom, thinking of you, Frank and Dianne Dietrich
Pat and Linda Nagle
We will miss your mom…she has been such a gift to our family. We went to EPT with MaryLou and Norm for years and loved precious times spent with them…..Such role models and inspiration for our Christian walk…Our prayers are with you all..
Pat AND Linda
Don & Carol Rogers
To the Tait family; We are so sorry for your loss. Norm and Mary Lou were great friends during our time of serving as Pastor there in Exeter. There were times in recent years when we passed through Exeter and would give them a call to meet at Tim’s for coffee.
They were a real blessing musically at the Church and I’m sure will be greatly missed.
God bless and fill your hearts with His peace.
Connie Cook
So sorry to hear of Mary Lou’s passing. She was a great lady.
Scot Morgan and Judy Parsons
Vaila, Luke, Spencer, Leeanne, Marlee and Shawn:
Sending our deepest sympathies to the entire Tait family . You are in our thoughts and sending healing hugs.
Scot and Judy
George and Sue Wilson
To MaryLou’s family, heartfelt condolences on your loss of your dear Mother. Mary Lou was a friendly woman. Cherish your precious memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Evelyn and Gaylan Josephson
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob and families
Our sincere and deepest sympathy to all of you. We so enjoyed our conversations and coffee and outings with Mary Lou and Norm over the past years.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Evelyn and Gaylan
Evelyn and Gaylan Josephson
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob and families
Our sincere and deepest sympathy to all of you. We so enjoyed our conversations and coffee and outings with Mary Lou and Norm over the past years.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Evelyn and Gaylan
Lois Illman Fitzgerald
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob and families,
On behalf of the Illman family, I would like to offer condolences to you all. Norm and Mary Lou were good friends of my oldest brother Paul in Stratford many years ago. Paul would bring them to the farm at Monkton when I was a little child. I remember them coming to visit with Vaila. Mary Lou with her beautiful red hair. When they got married, my parents Ellwood and Cynthia Illman stood in as Norm’s parents since they were in Scotland.
Cherish all your beautiful memories.
Kay Tripp
My sincere condolences to the Tait Families
Margaret Hackney
Graham and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom.
My thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time.
Margaret
Jeanie Pizzati
Thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Mary Lou will always hold a special place in my heart. So glad she is reunited with Norm and her saviour!
Condolences
Jeanie Pizzati (nee Klemke)
Peter Black
Mary Lou will truly be missed along with Norman, whom I worked with for many years at London Life. I first met Norm when he came to Canada and worked as a clerk at the Stratford Police Station before he met Mary Lou. I got to know your Mom /Grandma first when she and her sister Joan lived on Water Street at the Andersons in St.Marys. We attended Sunday School and church together at the Fellowship Baptist Church. I didn’t know until later, when Mary Lou discovered she had other family; and that her adopted brother had lived with my family for a few of his teen age years on our farm near St. Pauls. I met them both again when Norm and I both ended up working for London Life and we have enjoyed each other’s friendship for many years.
Leah & Tony Allen
Vaila Luke, Bev Gord, Graham Joanne, Rob Irene, & families
Tony and I were sadden to hear about your Mom’s / Gram’s passing. It’s never easy to say goodbye. We hope you find comfort in the many memories you all have.
Our sincere condolences,
Love Leah & Tony
Janet Corbett
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob and families,
Our sympathies to all of you for the loss of a mom, mother in law, grandma and great grandma. So many memories of Mary Lou throughout my childhood and into my adult years! Bev, we may have caused some grey hairs, but she hid them well!! From countless dinners, musical get togethers as families, her musical abilities on Sunday mornings, her laugh and her serious side too!
Sending you all much love and hugs as you celebrate her life and promotion to Heaven!
Jeff and Janet Corbett
Jeff and Lorraine Forrester
The Tait family. So sorry to about Mary Lou’s passing. She was a wonderful woman. I send my condolences to all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donald Kobe
Dear family.
On April 20th. I had the pleasure of playing and singing along with Mary Lou at the Chartwell residence. Mary Lou didn’t need any music for the ten or so hymns that we played . What a glorious time we had with the staff and residents. She will be truly missed!
Don Kobe
Bob and Helen Coates
Our sincere sympathy for the loss of a happy, generous and friendly lady. We will always remember both Mary Lou and Norman’s musical abilities which added so much to church services. She will be missed because she reached out to many people. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pete and Deb Timmermans
Sincere condolences to the entire family……..Pete and Deb
Joan & Stephen Caldwell
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your mom (and dad) will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will cherish the memories of them playing at our wedding as well. Thinking of you all at this time
Joan (nee Klemke) and Stephen Caldwell
Ruth Stuart & Jenna Chappel
What a precious lady Mary Lou was, she is now with the love of her life Norm again in Gods paradise. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. Our deepest sympathy.
Barb and Doug Ferguson
Sending our deepest condolences to the Entire Tait family . Please know you are in our thoughts.
Cheryl Becker(Dowson)
Tait family
So sorry to hear of your moms passing. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Jim Chapman
Vaila, Bev. Graham, Rob
and families;
My sincere sympathy to all of you. Norm and Mary Lou were a great couple! I have only good and positive memories of them and of you as a family. You will miss her dearly.
Cy and Eleanor Blommaert
Sending condolences to the Tait Family.
Thinking of you at this very sad time
Cy and Eleanor
Marilyn Waldeck
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob & Family~~~I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom, Mary Lou. She was a happy go luck lady with a great sense of humor. She was one of the best ~~~Long ago, as neighbors , we met your parents and have many memories of watching all of you grow up and follow the footsteps of your parents. Thinking of all of you at this time and trust that all the fun memories you shared as a family will make it easier on the path ahead. God Bless. 💓
Anne & Brad Mousseau
Vaila, Luke & family, sending condolences in the passing of your Mom.
Mark Heimrich
Vaila, Bev, Graham, Rob & Families;
Our sincere sympathy to you all in your loss. Mary Lou was always wearing a smile anytime I would see her around. I always enjoyed my conversations with both your Mom and Dad. I’m sure it gives you comfort to know they are reunited. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Mark & Julie Heimrich, Sarah, Scott & Spencer.
Alice MacLean
To MaryLou’s amazing family we want to tell you we are truly sorry for your loss!
Mary Lou( and Norm) have been great friends for many years.Lots of laughs shared over coffee,traveling to gospel sings and camp at Braeside..
Mary Lou could always look on the brighter side of life.
She loved her church,her Lord and also her family.You each had a special place in her heart.
There will be lots of music for the heavenly choir now MaryLou has arrived!God Bless you our dear friend…we miss you
Hugs, Alice and Jerry MacLean
Sue Dixon
Vaila, Luke & family: my heartfelt condolences to you all in this very difficult time.
Cindy Fisher Bailey
This picture is actually how I remember your Mom. My Condolences to you all. May your cherished memories help you through this difficult time
Dan and Kaylee
Spencer, Leeanne, Shawn and Marlee
Cherish all the memories, our thoughts and prayers are with you! Love you all!!
Gerald and Carolyn Merner
May you find peace and comfort in knowing that your grief is shared by so many. Your mom will be sorely missed. God bless you and your wonderful family
Joanne Bengough
A beautiful lady with such a big heart that matched her big smile. We had the pleasure of meeting Marylou and Norm when we adopted our son in 1987.
Wonderful couple and so happy to have had the pleasure of knowing them.
Thinking of everyone 🙏❤️
Mark and Alana Bresett
Mary Lou was so full of love for her children and grandchildren! They gave her such joy!
May you all feel her warmth and presence every time you enjoy her gift of music and great family values!
Linda Marsden
Graham and the Tait family,
So sorry to hear of Mary Lou’s passing. She and Norm were a great team.
Robin and Jim Ballantyne
“All it takes is one song to bring back a thousand memories “
Sending out heart felt sympathy to you Vaila and Luke, Marlee and Shawn and Spencer and Leeanne.
Sue Riley
Vaila & Luke. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Mike and JoAnne Pickering
Sending our deepest condolences! Mike and JoAnne Pickering
wendy Gregoire
My thoughts and prayers to all. She will be missed by all who knew her. Safe in the arms of Jesus.
Evelyn Vincent
To Mary Lou’s family
Sincere sympathy. Mary Lou will be missed by her many loved ones.
Heaven gained an angel