MABEL MCPHEDRAN

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MABEL MCPHEDRAN December 18, 1924 - May 15, 2006 Perhaps the rigors of Mabel's early loss of her father on the harsh Saskatchewan prairie gave her the seemingly indomitable will to live that brought her through two open heart surgeries and numerous other serious operations, with her flair for life. Felled by a sudden, massive stroke on April 18, Mabel McPhedran defied predictions and remained lucid to say dignified and humorous goodbyes to many beloved friends and family members, but after a second stroke on May 6, she was in a coma until she slipped away in the arms of her daughter Betty-Ann and longtime friend Borga Jakobson in Nanaimo Hospital near midnight on May 15. She is predeceased by her father Charles William Slatcher, her mother Emily (Greenwood) Slatcher Pinch, her brothers Frank, Alf and Eric, survived by her sisters Rose Oughton (Robert), Nellie Mae Stolhandskie, Earleen Woods (Harvey) and by her cherished husband of 62 years, John Alexander McPhedran (Jack) who excited, challenged and loved her passionately to her final days here. As Mom and Nana, she will be missed by her daughters, Marilou (Darryl Peck); grandsons Jonathan and David McPhedran Waitzer, Betty Ann (Don Rocan), Edith Mae (Brian Johnson); granddaughters Chelsey and Alexandra McPhedran. Beautiful to the end, Mabel's rich history with Jack began in high school in Stonewall where she loved to play softball and continued in the Second World War veterans' trailer park at Guelph University where they lived in a cramped little trailer and Mabel worked as a secretary to support Jack's veterinary studies and then in Neepawa, MB where Mabel co-managed Jack's large animal practice, shared his love of flying, volunteered in Air Cadets, raised their three daughters, oversaw a quirky menagerie of family pets and got in quite a few rounds of golf, which her beloved late father-in-law, Franklin McPhedran, had taught her to play when Jack was overseas in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the war. Mabel was able to enjoy even more golf when Jack became Manitoba's Director of Veterinary Medicine and they moved to St. Norbert. She convinced Jack to golf with her during their welcome retirement in their caring and scenic neighborhood overlooking the Pacific in Qualicum Beach, BC. Active in Toastmistress and the International Association of Parliamentarians for over 30 years, outspoken, stylish and renowned for her head-turning laughter, Mabel treasured her friends of all ages, old and new and was celebrated in return, as evidenced by extraordinary kindnesses from neighbors, in cards and emails that have been pouring in from across Canada, Australia, the Philippines and even Nepal. On Mabel's behalf, the family wishes to thank Dr. Paul Matenko, Dr. Hugh Fletcher and the many fine staff members of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, particularly those on the emergency, fourth and palliative floors, who provided weeks of excellent and compassionate care. Charitable donations in Mabel's memory can be mailed to the volunteer community based District 69 Stroke Recovery Group whose members have given pleasure and support to both Mabel and Jack: c/o Gwen McMillan, Box 175, 964 Coombs Rd., Coombs, BC, V0R 1M0. To allow friends and family to plan to attend if possible, a celebration of Mabel's remarkable life will be held at a later date to be announced. Visit the website set up in Mabel's honour: www.bcsupernet.com/users/mabel Yates Funeral Service, (1-877-264-3848) in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 18, 2006