In Loving Memory of

Phyllis Eirene MacKay McDougall

(Maiden: Sladden)
of Edmonton

Phyllis McDougall died peacefully in her sleep on January 20, 2022, at the age of 102, after a long and busy life, during which the world experienced many significant events. Born during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919, Phyllis was the third of four children in the Sladden family and is the last survivor of her generation. She was pre-deceased by her husband, John F McDougall, on their 57th wedding anniversary in 1997. She is survived by four children: Lori and Bruce Walker, John McDougall and Irene Makar, Renee and Don Bliss, and Anne McDougall; thirteen grandchildren: Tony, David and Scott Walker, John, Jordan, Michael McDougall and Kyle Makar, Lori (Gnenz), Jamie Bliss, Christina (Omoyayi) and Sean Bliss, Claire and David Kenway; and ten great-grandchildren: Sydney Gnenz, Flora Gnenz, Kenzie Bliss, Addison Bliss, Abayomi Omoyayi, Abi Omoyayi, Tobi Omoyayi, Lecia McDougall and Cian McDougall, Kyoko Kenway.

Phyllis was a granddaughter of Alberta's pioneer doctor, Dr. William MacKay, and his Metis wife and surgical "assistant", Jane (nee Flett). Her unrealized dream was to follow in their footsteps as a doctor, and, like her grandmother Jane, she became a knowledgeable and competent caregiver to her family.

In addition to her full-time role as mother and grandmother and great-grandmother, Phyllis played an active role in the community. She was a founding member of the Engineers' Wives Club, a member of the MacKay Chapter International Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE), an ardent duplicate bridge player, an avid artist, and a supporter of many charitable organizations.

She had high expectations for her children and encouraged them all to do their best in whatever they tackled. And she quietly assisted her grandchildren in many tangible and intangible ways. Well-informed, thoughtful, and forever learning, she stimulated her family members to become individuals, independent thinkers, and caring members of the community.

As the family grew up, they began to travel, first in North America, and later in Europe. After the children were grown, Phyllis and her husband, Jack, travelled to Europe several times seeking to discover family roots. When Jack was less able to travel, Phyllis travelled with her siblings to Hawaii and southeast Asia. She celebrated her 80th birthday with trip to Bermuda with some of her children.

After her husband Jack died, she moved full-time into The Waterford where she spent almost 25 years, developing a great rapport with the staff, gaining many new friends, and continuing her hobbies until recent years when her sight failed almost totally.

She spent her final months in Laurier House where the staff worked diligently to make her as comfortable and peaceful as she could be. Their efforts and empathetic care were greatly appreciated by the family. Congenial and gregarious, and a most gracious and caring lady who lit up any room, Phyllis lived a long and happy life and was truly the matriarch of the family. She will be greatly missed, happily remembered, and widely celebrated by all who knew her.

Due to the circumstances of Covid, a small celebration of life will be held at Foster & McGarvey Funeral Home, 10011 114 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5K1R5, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday January 29, 2022, and lived streamed from the website, https://www.connelly-mckinley.com/ . A memorial event is being planned for late spring, subject to gathering restrictions. Foster & McGarvey is exclusively participating in the Restriction Exemption Program. Government issued photo ID and proof of vaccination via QR code or a negative COVID test in the last 72 hours is required upon entry.

Donations in memory of Phyllis McDougall will be gratefully received by either of the following organizations:

Dr William Morrison MacKay Memorial Award - University of Alberta Endowed by the Dr William Morrison MacKay Chapter IODE. The Chapter was organized in May of 1946, by Dr MacKay's 5 daughters, 4 grand-daughters and 8 other members of the Dr Wm Morrison MacKay Chapter IODE in honor of Dr MacKay who was a pioneer medical doctor in the NorthWest. Dr MacKay was the first resident doctor in what is now Alberta and became the first President of the Northern Alberta Medical Association. Awarded to students who are First Nation, Inuit, or Métis people of Canada in accordance with the Constitution Act, 1982, Part 2, Section 35(2) on the basis of satisfactory academic standing of at least 2.7. Financial need and involvement in the Indigenous community will also be considered.

Donate at: https://www.ualberta.ca/giving/index.html

Frontier College Frontier College is a national charitable literacy organization that believes literacy is a right and works with volunteers and community partners to give people the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential and contribute to society.

Donate at: https://frontiercollege.akaraisin.com/ui/donation/donations/start?it=