MARIAN MACDOUGALD
Marian Gladys MacDougald, 95, of Stratford and formerly of Fullarton died peacefully surrounded by family at Rotary Hospice, Stratford on Sunday November 6, 2022.
Beloved wife of Walter, who predeceased her in August 2022. Dear mother of Bill (Karen), Doug (Barbara), Janice Miller (Phil), Patricia (Richard Hoekstra) and Ormond (Annie). She will be missed by her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and dear sister Fern Dougall, and brother Tom Sawyer (Nancy). Also surviving are her nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her parents, Otis and Gladys (Selves) Sawyer; sister, Lois Hodgins (Harvey); brother-in-law, Bill Dougall; and brothers-in-law, John and Jim MacDougald (Beulah).
“Mum grew up on a farm near Mount Pleasant, and was greatly influenced by the Great Depression, as witnessed by her endless saving of rubber bands, twist ties, and anything else that might eventually prove useful. After graduating from high school in Mitchell, she went to normal school in Stratford to become a teacher. At 21 years of age, she married dad, and taught in the one room schoolhouse in Fullarton until she had the first of her five children, at which point she became a fulltime housewife. Marian was very capable, and when dad hurt his back in the ‘50s, they switched roles for a winter, with her taking care of the barn and farm work. When she returned home one day to find the metal roofing to be installed on the barn blowing off, she crawled up the ladder and lay on the roofing until help arrived. Later, she served as dad’s secretary during his time as Clerk Treasurer of Fullarton Township, which included the unenviable job of deciphering and typing his handwritten correspondence. Together they traveled the world, including the great pyramids of Egypt, and beaches in the Caribbean.
Mum took great care of us kids when we were growing up – putting on Band-Aids, driving us to sporting and other events, and keeping us warm and fed.
Making music was a thread that ran throughout her entire life. She was the organist at Thamesview United Church in Fullarton for 50 years. Her ministry of music included leading junior and senior choirs, and providing musical singsongs for functions as needed. She mentored youth to become capable singers. Mitchell Music Festival was a very busy time, as she coached and played for young people singing solos, duets, and quartets. Our Mum had an amazing gift of music and could play a hymn with five verses in five different keys, moving up each verse by a semitone – all played by ear. As kids when we were getting ready for bed it was request time for songs and many a night we went to sleep to the sounds of Mum playing ‘She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain.’ We will greatly miss gathering around the piano to sing carols with her at Christmas!”
We love you Mum,
Bill, Doug, Jan, Tricia, Sandy
Friends will be received at the Lockhart Funeral Home, 109 Montreal St., Mitchell on Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. A private family service will be held later. Those wishing to attend the visitation are asked to schedule a time at LockhartFuneralHome.com or by calling the funeral home at 519-348-8643. Interment in Fullarton Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Marian MacDougald can be made directly to the Rotary Hospice Legacy Fund, c/o Stratford Perth Community Foundation (spccf.ca), or through Lockhart Funeral Home, Mitchell, ON. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for gifts received.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marian MacDougald Sawyer Sunday November 6th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Mitchell, Province: Ontario