Mary Kathleen McPhail

Mary was born in Calgary at the General Hospital and spent her school years at Stanley Jones, Balmoral, Western Canada, and Crescent Heights High School. She met her husband, Stuart, at age 15 while attending Balmoral Jr. High and they married on April 10, 1948, going on to have four children together.

Mary began her early work career at Freeman Wilson's auto dealership and then, after raising her children, worked as an insurance broker at C.J. Campbell Insurance. Throughout her life she was active in the Girl Guides of Canada, an organization that played an important role in her life. She became a Brownie in 1933, and later became a Guide, Ranger, Brown Owl, and eventually a Deputy Area Commissioner. She received a 25 year long Service Award, a Certificate and a Medal of Merit for her dedication to this organization.

Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, Stuart McPhail, Daughter Laurie Scheuerman and Rod (Monica and Chris, Teresa and Derick), Daughter Colleen Harris and Bill (Nicholas, Greg), Son Mark McPhail and Gail (Kyle, Taryn), Daughter-in-Law Jane McPhail (Matt and Saskia, Blair) as well as her great grandchildren: Isabelle, Lauren, Leo, Maru and Elisabet. Mary is predeceased by her son, Glen McPhail and her sister Eunice Wachtler.

At Mary's request there will be no public funeral service. A private celebration of her life will be held by her family at a later date.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the medical staff on Unit 47 of Foothills Tom Baker Cancer Centre for their kind and compassionate care.

If desired, donations may be made in Mary's name to the Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca; the Alzheimer's Society of Calgary, www.alzheimercalgary.ca; or the MS Society of Canada, Calgary Chapter, www.mssociety.ca/alberta/calgary.