Obituary of Mickey Horsford

It is with deep sadness that we announce Mickey passed away on June 6, 2024, at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) with family by her side. Mickey is survived by her children Paula (John Pert) and Doug (Kate Horsford) and her four precious grandchildren (Molly, Ellen, Luke and Ava). 

Mickey is predeceased by her best friend and loving husband Peter, her parents Burton and Geraldine McDermott, her sisters Fern (John Fortin) and Gerry (Ned Burns), and her brother and sister-in-law Nancy and Doug Craig. She is also survived by her in-laws Greg and Rebecca Horsford, Mark Horsford and Lesley Higgins, along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

Born in Sault Ste. Marie on July 1st, 1940, Mickey was always happy to share her birthday with a celebratory holiday. She was proud of her McDermott family connection to the Algoma Central Railway line and grew up in Hawk Junction and Searchmont until she was a teenager. They eventually moved back to Sault Ste. Marie, where she established a wonderful network of friends in the Monterey Gardens area and attended Sault Collegiate High School. In high school, Mickey enjoyed literature and playing sports. 

In Mickey’s professional life, she spent 16 years working at Algoma Steel and 30 years working in education for both the catholic and public boards as well as at Sault College. She began her teaching career as a business teacher and later served as Coordinator for the Co-Op and Continuing Education Department. Mickey helped with getting the Sacred Heart Adult Learning Centre established.

Mickey will always be remembered for her caring nature, her quick wit, and her passion for gardening, cooking and baking. She loved to host gatherings and had a knack for creating so many wonderful traditions. Mickey was an outdoor enthusiast and had such a determined spirit, trying everything from water skiing, to downhill skiing, swimming certification and even clogging. Most of all, Mickey’s favourite pastime was golf where she enjoyed being outdoors and with friends.

What brought Mickey the most joy and happiness was the life she and Peter created with their family. She adored them and took any opportunity to visit her children and grandchildren. She will be most fondly remembered for sitting at her favourite spot on the porch at camp, facing west, being grateful, catching the last glimpse of the sunset. She will be so dearly missed.

Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to ARCH. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the home care nurses, Sault Area Hospital staff, and the doctors, nurses and support staff at ARCH for their exceptional care and compassion.