Meet Your Neighbour: Mary Pigott

Q&A with a seventh-generation Ottawan

Who are you?

I’m Mary Pigott, and I live on Bedford Crescent with my partner, Luke. 

Where were you born?

I’m a seventh-generation Ottawan. Luke moved here from Toronto almost 14 years ago, but he still pronounces Rideau funny. Fortunately, he says Gloucester correctly – phew!

Why did you choose your occupation? Did you ever consider another occupation?

I’m a Heritage Conservation Coordinator on the Centre Block (CB) Rehabilitation Project with PCL/EllisDon, and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I love being on site, I know CB like the back of my hand.

I grew up in and around old houses, so a love of built heritage was probably inevitable. After several years working in government, I went back to school to study Museum Studies at Algonquin College. Looking back, I think I always knew I wanted to work with art, history, and architecture, I just took the scenic route to get there.

What is the most important thing in your life right now? 

My better half, Luke, along with my family and friends. 

Why do you live in Manor Park?

I grew up in Rockcliffe, so moving here feels a bit like coming home after 15 years in Centretown. I have a lot of family in the area, including my cousin Erica, who lives around the corner with her family and, most importantly, her dog, Monty.

We adore living here. Our neighbours have been incredibly welcoming and kind. The gentleman who owned our house before us was a retired firefighter who had lived there since he was a small child. Luke is a firefighter as well, so I love that he’s continuing that tradition and connection to the home.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you go and why?

At the moment, I’m still in the honeymoon phase with Manor Park, so I’m perfectly content to stay right here. That said, I wouldn’t say no to a few pied-à-terre apartments in Rome, Paris, and Cartagena. Each city has its own distinct character, and I’ve always been drawn to places with deep layers of history.

What do you do to stay healthy?

I bike to work and I love it; so much better than taking the bus. We’re lucky to be so close to the river pathway. 

In the spring, I was taking classes at DOWNdog yoga studio on Bedford. Having it right down the street means I really have no excuse not to go! I can’t wait for classes to resume in the fall. 

What was the last book that you read?

The last book I finished was The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow, which I read in anticipation of the recent BBC adaptation.

I’m currently reading Hidden Patrons: Women and Architectural Patronage in Georgian Britain by Amy Boyington. It explores the important role women played as patrons, tastemakers, and designers of architecture and interiors in eighteenth-century Britain. I ordered it from Books on Beechwood!

What has been one of your biggest challenges?

Losing our beloved Basset Hound, Milly, two years ago. She would have absolutely loved living beside the park and all the wonderful dogs passing through it. We know we’ll get another dog someday, but for now we’re content with dog-sitting for family and friends. We’re also thrilled to live next door to the lovely Hazel, who is a canine celebrity in the neighbourhood.

If you could have dinner with any three people alive or dead, who would you choose? What would you serve?

My two late grandmothers, Jean Pigott and Boo Leslie. I miss them both so much. They would insist that a good-looking gentleman join us, so Luke would be the third.

We’d spend the evening on our back deck, enjoying beef bourguignon, fresh bread, a good bottle of red wine, and hot fudge pudding with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life?

Robin Williams à la Mrs. Doubtfire.

If I won the lottery, I would spend my winnings on …?

Renovations both here and at the cottage. I’d also love to help out family and friends and support charities that are close to my heart. And, perhaps most excitingly, I’d go back to school to learn a traditional heritage trade, like stone carving or cabinetmaking. 

What is your favourite childhood memory?

I’m very fortunate to have a family cottage and more cousins than I can count. Running wild with them every summer was absolute heaven. Our parents would drop us off with my sweet grandmother, who had very few rules, and we essentially lived outdoors. We were completely feral, and it was amazing.

My favourite thing about Ottawa is …?

I’m very proud to live in Ottawa. It’s a capital city that somehow still feels like a small town. I also live for the lattes at Little Victories across from the National War Memorial; they are pure ambrosia.

My least favourite thing about Ottawa is …?

Our ongoing struggles with public transit and the addiction crisis downtown. They’re complex issues, and I hope we continue working toward compassionate, long-term solutions. It feels as though every level of government has fallen short in addressing these matters, and I think our city deserves better.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

On our front porch, sitting on the porch swing I’d like to install, with a dog on one side, Luke on the other and, ideally, very few mosquitoes.

What do you wish to teach your children about the world?

If you give away enough bread, it might come back to you buttered. In other words, kindness and generosity always enrich both the giver and the receiver.

When all is said and done …?

Kindness is all that matters.