Mary Anne Balant

BALANT, Mary Anne Obituary Announcement:

To everything there is a season, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…

With great sadness we want to share that our beloved mother, Mary Anne Balant (née Matt), 84 yrs old, passed peacefully on January 13, 2026. Mary Anne was born on Oct 27, 1941, in Utica, New York to Paul and Anne Matt (née Worrall).

Mary Anne loved learning. While raising a family of five children, she completed her BA at the University of Toronto in 1978 and went on to complete her Master of Social Work in 1980. She devoted her career to supporting children and families, beginning at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society from 1980 to 1983, then later in as a family counsellor with the Catholic Family Services of Durham from 1983 to 2006 and then in private practice until her full retirement in 2012. Mary Anne was known for her love of reading, science fiction, her fondness for trivia and word games and for gifting so many knitted treasures.

Mary Anne is predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph Balant (1938 - 2014), and her brother Richard Matt. She is survived by her children Paul (& Catherine) Balant, Theia Balant, Joanne (& Ian) Azevedo, Carolyn Balant, Anne Marie Balant (& David) as well as one honorary son, Steven Lintlop. Mary Anne will be missed by her in-laws Jenny and Cyril Marinic, and nephews Micheal (& Jie), David (& Jenny), Sean and Joey Matt, and niece Kathy (& Kevin) and her 11 grandchildren Joseph, Charlotte (& Marek), Thomas and Alexander (& Dayna), Diana (& Theo), Nathanael (& Phindile), Sebastian, Jacob (& Taylor), Elizabeth (& Julie), Sylvia (& Ilan) and Natasha (& Kas) as well as her grand niece Larissa (& Zack) and grand nephews Kieran (& Olive), Rowan and great-grand niece Paisley.

There will be a Celebration of Life for both Mary Anne and Joseph Balant on May 2, 2026. Please save the date. Location and details will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkview Services for Seniors are appreciated https://www.parkviewhome.ca/get-involved/#donate . Mary Anne and Joe will be deeply missed by all who knew them.