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Marie Anne Louise McClelland
‘Mary Anne’ Louise McClelland (Ludwig) was born on November 17, 1942 in Nelson BC where she spent her entire life. She died peacefully with her husband Fred beside her on the morning of July 28, 2020 at their home.
Many Anne was the third daughter to Ukrainian immigrant parents, Michelina and Jacob Ludwig. As a young girl, Mary Anne began her education at St. Joseph Catholic School, followed by Trafalgar Junior High then onto LV Rogers High School. It was at Trafalgar that Mary Anne first chased Fred whom she dated until they married September 1st, 1962.
In her high school years Mary Anne was actively involved in all aspects of the school, excelling in the arts, a member of the high school yearbook committee, she was affectionately known to many as “Mimi”, to this day signing her cards and art work this way. She had the honour of painting the school murals in the LVR gymnasium which were displayed until a new gym was built in the mid 90’s. Mary Anne was a part of the cheerleading squad that followed the basketball teams around the region.
Unofficially, Mary Anne’s first job was with the Mac’s Flower Shop where she learned floral arranging by her future mother-in-law, Sadie. Mary Anne’s first job was at the Hudson’s Bay store where she spent most of her time preparing the window displays. During this time, she was offered an opportunity to head east to Sheridan College, Oakville Ontario to study window design, but chose to remain in Nelson with Fred. Mary Anne did attend a business program at Mount Royal College in Calgary, later taking a job with the Bank of Montreal in town. As a young couple Fred and Mary Anne belonged to The Kinsmen & Kinette Club of Nelson (15+ years) where many enduring friendships were forged.
Soon after Fred and Mary Anne got married they started a family, first welcoming Annette and two years later, Michele. During the early years of their family, Mary Anne focused on motherhood and worked part time behind the scenes with Fred at Mac’s Home Furniture. As the girls were growing up, Mary Anne decided to return to work, taking a job with BC Tel that lasted over 17 years until her position moved to Kelowna. In the meantime, Fred and Mary Anne purchased Waits News (20+ years) and after leaving BC Tel she once again worked side by side with Fred at the store. MA was an incredible cook and will be fondly remembered for her unique soups and baked goods, especially her “cinnamon buns”!
The Macs hosted many beach parties, bonfires and community dinners with ‘condo’ guests. The summer nights included star gazing and satellite counting, music and dancing, wine, beer and bad campfire coffee, so many memories were created…
Mary Anne loved the outdoors, decorating up her space with red and white petunias, geraniums, rhododendrons and roses at the guidance of Jack, Mary Anne’s father in law. Her 7-mile beach home provided four seasons of viewing all types of wildlife. Deer playing off the sandbar, moose wandering by the sleeping deck, momma bear and her cubs climbing trees, mallard ducks up on the lawn, hummingbirds fighting, ospreys with bald eagles and a golden eagle fishing off the point. The family home always included beloved four-legged, furry friends, dogs (most recently “Indy”), cats, and back in the day, several guinea pigs.
Mary Anne and Fred travelled to many places in their life together. Starting with their honeymoon road trip to Oregon, a family vacation to Disneyland, the Northwest Territories, Mary Anne and Fred got the travel bug. They then went on to enjoy years of ski vacations with valued friends all across Western Canada and the Northwest United States.
When Fred drove for work in his eighteen-wheeler, Mary Anne joined him across Canada, plus a very memorable trip to Haida Gwaii. Most recently in the past number of years, they jumped in their red convertible with their beloved Indy and travelled to Yellowstone National Park and any destination with a “casino”.
Both loving the sunshine they boarded planes to Tahiti, Mexico, Aruba, Venezuela, Bonaire and then 30+ trips to Cuba. This is where they fell in love with the people, especially Mayelin and her family, whom they have been particularly close to for more than twenty years.
Mary Anne was highly active in many sports including racquetball, cycling, hiking and golf, where she was active in the Balfour Ladies Golf League. In 2004 it was Mary Anne’s idea to take on the challenge of Bike New York with Fred and the girls. It is a 50 mile bike ride through the five boroughs of New York City; starting in Battery Park, north through Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and finishing over on Staten Island. What a day that was…
After they sold Waits News and their 7 Mile beachfront home (45 years), Mary Anne and Fred moved closer to Balfour. There she enjoyed golfing, painting and sewing. Very much into current events, Mary Anne was always up for a good intellectual conversation about almost any topic. She was never shy about sharing her opinion but was also tolerant enough to listen to another person’s point of view. Mary Anne loved to entertain her friends and family, including holiday orphans to join in whatever the festivities might be…from birthdays to anniversaries, baby showers to turkey dinners, Easter to New Years; MA never turned anyone away from a glass of wine, delicious food and laughter.
Once Mary Anne retired, she rediscovered her loved for painting and displayed her artwork in Kalso, Proctor, Balfour and Cowan’s Art Supply in Nelson. From early childhood Mary Anne loved to sing so in her retirement she jointed Second Wind, a group that would sing at the senior residences of Nelson. Mary Anne was an accomplished pianist, earning her grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate when she was in her 40’s.
Mary Anne leaves behind her loving husband Fred, her daughters Annette and Michele. Fred’s brother Alex and wife Sheila McClelland along with many nieces and nephews and cousins from both sides of the family.
Mary Anne was preceded by her parents Michelina and Jacob Ludwig, Fred’s parents Sadie and Jack McClelland, her siblings Rose McGhie (Robert), Eleanor Carman (Raymond) and niece Karen McGhie. Most recently, on August 10, 2020, nephew Greg Carman.
A final notation from Mary Anne to those who will understand…
“it will be in the cookbook!”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Anne MA Louise McClelland Ludwig November 17 1942
July 28 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Nelson, Province: Colombie britanique