Myrna Lorene McGregor

Born on December 6, 1937, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Myrna was a dedicated teacher, loving mother and grandmother, active church member and passionate literacy volunteer.

Myrna grew up on a homestead in Weirdale, Saskatchewan, without electricity or running water, with a horse and buggy for transport. She was the eldest child of Lawrence and Evelyn Skapple, and was later joined by her younger siblings, Dale and Dianne. She loved to tell of her delight playing with the kitchen tap when the family moved to a home with running water in Kaslo, BC when Myrna was 9 years old. The family later settled in a heritage home in nearby Nelson, after her father sold the homestead and took a job at the local match factory.

A gifted student, Myrna excelled academically at L.V. Rogers Secondary School in Nelson, earning top marks that launched her into a teaching career—first in Kitimat and Langley BC and later in Alberta, ultimately becoming Vice Principal of Hanna Junior High School before retiring.

Back in Nelson, she was swept off her feet by a handsome classmate, Monty McGregor, who enrolled at Royal Roads Military College as an engineering student. She found his uniform irresistible, and the pair married in Kingston Ontario in 1962. Myrna loved being a wife and mother, often describing the baby years with her children, Joel and Glennis, as the happiest of her life. In later years, she found joy in being a grandmother to Evelyn. Those early years were spent in Calgary, Edmonton and then Lethbridge, where she found time to teach Sunday School at the United Church on top of an exciting job at the University of Lethbridge as an Academic assistant in the field of Education. Encouraged to continue her studies, she earned a Master of Education in 1981 and went on to specialise in teaching students with special needs at Hanna Junior High School.

Myrna embraced retirement in Mission, BC, with the same vigour that had defined her working life. She volunteered with the Mission Literacy Association as both a tutor and tutor trainer, while also enjoying Bridge, curling, golf, and tending her beautiful garden. Perhaps most cherished was her involvement in the United Church, where she formed deep and lasting friendships. Her friends remained by her side, bringing companionship and joy throughout her later years, even as she faced the challenges of disability.

She is survived by children Joel (Chairat) of Kirkland WA, Glennis of London UK, sister Dianne (Dean) Smillie of Victoria BC, brother Dale Skapple of Calgary AB, grand-daughter Evelyn of Vancouver BC, and nieces and nephews Matthew, Ben, Jill, Teri, Shirley, Carla, Sheila, Michael, Corey, Lisa and Christie.

She is predeceased by husband of 63 years, Montgomery Clare McGregor.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrews United Church on Thursday, August 28th at 1:00pm.

A Committal Service for Myrna and Monty will be held at Nelson Cemetery on Wednesday, September 3rd at 11:00am.