DOUGLAS WITHERSPOON MCLAREN

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DOUGLAS WITHERSPOON MCLAREN Peacefully, in the early morning of Tuesday January 9, 2007 Doug McLaren left this world after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He leaves behind to celebrate his life and mourn his loss his wife Dorothy, son Grant (Marilyn), daughter Barbara (Randy), son Scott (Janet) and son Kent (Christa) as well as his cherished grandchildren Rob, Dustin, Chris, Carly and Kaitlin. In the last two years Doug was known as dad to a very special Sudanese family, Omod, Ajule and their three children. They, too, will miss him terribly. Doug will be sorely missed by his two sisters, Annette Boles and Marg Thomas (Arnold) and their families, two brothers Don McLaren (Joan) and Jim McLaren and their families and his sister-and brother-in-law Bev and Tony Lamonica and their family. Doug was born in Carberry MB on August 8, 1928, the eldest son of Fan and Jack McLaren at Linwood Farm learning many practical skills from his dad and gentleness and very caring nature from his mother. He worked at the T. Eaton Company when he came to Winnipeg where he met the love of his life, Dorothy, in the darkroom. For 32 years he worked at the Canadian Wheat Board, where he was not only well liked but greatly respected. He quickly developed an abiding belief in the value the Board provides to western Canadian farmers. He married Dorothy in June 1953 and for the next 53½ years they built and celebrated a true partnership, not only within their family but in their commitment to their church, their passion for square dancing and their love of travel and new experiences. These activities and experiences were all the more meaningful and pleasurable because they were always shared with wonderful friends. But, in many ways the centre of their lives and the heart of their family was the cottage(s) at Davidson Lake. For a simple farm boy who grew up during the depression, Doug had an amazing spirit of adventure. When most families were not venturing much beyond Manitoba's major highways and well-developed cottage communities, Doug had his young family building their own canoes, exploring the wilderness and homesteading a very unofficial cottage site. As the family grew, so did the cottage, and Doug and Dorothy truly glowed when the place was filled with family and friends. Doug had an enormous capacity to give of himself. For many years Doug was a Cub, Scout and Venturer leader. Together he and Dorothy spent countless hours serving God, anyone in need, and the congregation of St Saviour's Anglican Church. For many years, Doug was editor of the Manisquare monthly newsletter, the St Saviour's Signet newsletter where his column, under the by-line of Cousin Mildred was enjoyed by all. Upon his retirement, he created a regular newsletter for CWB retirees. Doug was a kind and gentle spirit, with a remarkable ability to recognize and appreciate the unique value in each person who was part of his life. He always made each of us feel that, when we arrived to visit, we were exactly the person he was hoping to see. Dorothy and the family are deeply grateful for the care and support Doug received from Rev. Richard Condo, Dr P. G. Mehta, Dr. Butler and many others at CancerCare Manitoba, St Boniface Hospital emergency staff and the St Boniface Hospital Palliative Care unit. Doug loved to work with words. While he was always humble about this gift, it truly was a gift. Here is one of his family' favourite poems. WORDS (Doug McLaren) Folks say I have a way with words, But words are wild, and free, So I don't have a way with words, Words have a way with me. They arrange themselves in sentences, In poetry and prose, And what the end result will be, The Good Lord only knows. Sometimes I sit, my mind a blank, The page an empty space, At other times the words just come, Then watch my fingers race. I love all words, both old and new But they can be the tools, Of all the wisest men on earth, But also of the fools. For words can make folks laugh or cry, Draw pictures in their mind, Can make them shake a fist in hate, Or make them gentle, kind. Mere words can lift a soul to God Or damn their soul to hell, Can make their life a thing of joy, Make sure you choose words well. Don't underestimate the power, That words have on one's mind, An unkind word can spoil a day, Pray speak a word that's kind. Don't be too quick to use a word, That bruises someone's soul, It damages not only them, But makes you less than whole. So when the day of reckoning comes, As it will to all our race, Just pray that you with confidence Can look God in the face. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St Saviour's Anglican Church, Munroe Avenue at Grey Street in Winnipeg. Internment of Doug's cremated remains will take place at Chapel Lawn (Portage Avenue) on Saturday January 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Everyone welcome. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to either CancerCare Manitoba, St Saviour's Anglican Church or, a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home And Reception Centre 885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 11, 2007