Born January 31, 1920 in Brantford, Ontario, she was the second youngest of seven siblings. Growing up on a dairy farm she was Dad's helper and could milk 20 cows by hand if she had to. Shortly after the war Megan married her air force pilot who promptly moved her to a mink farm in a very remote location in Northern Ontario. No running water, no indoor toilet, and no electricity unless the wind generator was working but Mom took it in stride and didn't seem to mind the isolation. In fact she has mentioned many times in later life that she missed her wood cook stove.
As her children came to school age they wanted a better life for them and Dad moved us all to Gibsons, BC. They stayed there until children had finished school. Free of one son, Austin dragged Mom to the Kootenays settling initially in Winlaw where they took up subsistence farming. That was just the first of six places Mom got dragged to in the Nelson area. When Dad passed, Mom sold the last big house and moved into her Nelson condo next to younger son Jeff where she lived for 20 years, the longest time in one place. It was not to be her last move. At age 99 Mom's dementia was bad enough that we had to move her to Mountain Lakes Seniors Community.
Mom celebrated her 100th birthday there with many of her friends braving the weather to celebrate with her. Being super independent, Mom will never forgive me for taking her away from her home. We were able to keep Mom in her own home much longer thanks to Nelson Home Support and special thanks to Sherri, a truly super lady who would visit Mom regularly and cared for Mom like she was her own Mother. Thanks so much Sherri. We also would like to thank all the staff at Mountain Lake. I really appreciated your ability to be so caring.
Mom also spent a lot of time doing volunteer work, everything from cleaning up garbage in local parks, kitchen duty at fundraiser, to executive positions in provincial organizations. Her time served with BC Wildlife Federation earned her the first female director position and later a life membership where she focused on BC parks and wildlife conservation. Countless hours were also spent as an advocate for the handicapped and the PLAN program.
Although Mom has many found memories of Gibsons, I think Nelson area was her favourite area to live because there were so many mountains to climb in summer and ski in winter. There was always a special twinkle in her eye when she would tell me, we cheated! We got helicoptered up to a base camp. She would also save her pennies and did several river rafting trips in BC and the Yukon.
Megan was predeceased by her husband Austin in 1998 and is survived by her sons Rod (Linda) and Jeff, granddaughter Ella, grandson Jeff and younger sister Wenna of Brantford Ontario. Also many nieces and nephews back east.
It is hoped to have a celebration of life when it is safe to do so.
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