April 3, 2024

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Mary Beaucage, a fearless champion for kidney health whose contributions to the Can-SOLVE CKD community are too great to count.

Mary was a storyteller, advocate, teacher, mentor, and researcher who used her voice and experience to create a better world for those affected by kidney disease. Her energy and enthusiasm for this work were unmatched, and it was often said that Mary was a part of every committee, working group, and initiative across the network – only a slight exaggeration of her tremendous and tireless devotion to the cause of patient-oriented research.

Mary was a patient partner on several projects, a long-serving co-chair of both the Patient Governance Council and the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council, and a patient advisor to the network’s Leadership Committee. A proud Anishinaabekwe from Nipissing First Nation, she was the catalyst and inspiration for the Supporting Each Other’s Journey Land Acknowledgment Series, for which she wrote and narrated a powerful video to share her teachings and wisdom.

Above all, Mary was a beloved friend to many across Can-SOLVE CKD and throughout the kidney community. We will remember her good humour, quick wit, and warm heart, which she shared so generously. Her presence will continue to be felt in everything we do, and we remain committed to realizing her vision of better kidney health for all.

Mary Beaucage obituary (external link)

We will honour Mary’s memory at our upcoming annual meeting. Additional details of this celebration will be shared shortly.

Members of the Can-SOLVE CKD community are encouraged to share memories of Mary and messages of condolence in the space below. Comments will be reviewed before they are posted.

Mary was a wonderful friend and teacher. She was gentle and kind and always positive, even when her flights were delayed for the 1000th time! Cammo pants warrior and kidney bean carrier, she will always have a warm and solid place in my heart.

Lis Fowler

I’m saddened to learn of Mary’s passing. It was a number of years ago that I had the chance to meet and work with Mary. What struck me right away was her friendliness and intelligence, and it was clear to me she had a lot to offer the Can-SOLVE CKD Network and beyond. I admire her courage and dedication over the years, and I’m very glad to have had the chance to meet her.

Jane Thomas

Mary welcomed me to the Network with the kind of warmth and honesty that made me feel like I was exactly where I belonged. I will miss Mary’s easy going fortitude and her kindness. Her tireless commitment to patient-oriented research and raising the profile of the patient voice in all we do was truly an inspiration.

Melanie Talson

My heart is very heavy at hearing this sad news. Mary was an amazing advocate of kidney health equity for Indigenous communities and she educated our TAP team not only on the need for a Land Acknowledgment before every meeting but also on how to make it truly meaningful. As a matter of fact, I have to deliver one tonight before our monthly TAP Lead Meeting; I will dedicate it to her and forever think of her every time I hear one. She will be dearly missed…

Christine Pisapia

Mary definitely was well informed and kindhearted and someone who made you listen and mentor for all those on the CKD Journey.
Rest in Peace 🙏💚

Robert Buzinski

I will miss Mary, and I mourn her passing. I got to know her through several years of being part of the Can-SOLVE CKD network. Mary was a great advocate for bringing the patient voice – the voice of living experience – to health research. She took this responsibility to the fullest, taking an active part in reviewing the progress reports of the various Can-SOLVE CKD research teams through her work on the Research Operations Committee. Mary and I had a two-way mentorship relationship. I mentored her in the art of reviewing progress reports and funding proposals, and she mentored me in what it was to be a patient and a recipient of a kidney transplant. We were both enriched by the interchange, and I believe the whole kidney disease research network were enriched by Mary’s contributions.

Malcolm King

Mary was a great storyteller and listener! She worked tirelessly within the kidney and transplant communities. With the number of committees and boards she was part of, it was quite literally a full time job. She was determined to ensure that patient voices were heard, especially Indigenous voices. She was one in a million and can never be replaced. It won’t be the same here at Can-SOLVE without you, Mary.

Alicia Murdoch

Mary was an amazing women who was a story teller and brought great knowledge to us as a kidney community. She will be truly missed and I know all the work she was part of has or will continue to have positive impact to kidney patients . She will live on in all of our hearts.

Kate Chong

Mary was a wonderful human being. She shared her knowledge, wisdom and kindness with me from the first day we ever met and that never changed. She will be truly missed.

Charles Cook