January 27th 1931 – May 28th 2021
Merle McGowan, first born child of Sargent and Muriel McGowan, came into this world “long and lean” in the description of great Grandma McGowan. Her beloved sister Patricia arrived the next year and Patricia always said that Merle was a leader “second to none” while Merle countered that Patricia added “excitement” to their lives via many mishaps, stitches and hospital visits. The McGowan family abandoned the grasshopper-filled dust bowl of Weyburn in 1934 and relocated to the forest fringe farm located between Northside and Paddockwood. Merle and Pat were joined by sister Phyllis and brother Sargent and the family’s “own live little doll” baby sister Ruth.
Merle attended school at Elk Range, where her clearest memories were not of school but of the dawdling and interesting diversions on the trek back and forth, on foot, bicycle, and horse. Merle entered school as a reader, taught by her mother Muriel, and was immediately put into grade two, all by herself. Great Grandpa McGowan offered a dollar for anyone who came first in their class and Merle, with modesty, suggested that she’d won that prize a few times. Books were always a mainstay in her life, a love she fostered in her thirteen nieces and nephews. Upon finishing grade 8 Merle went to Weyburn for grades 9 and 10 and then returned home, where she and Pat cycled the five miles to Paddockwood to finish out their schooling. Merle entered the family profession (teaching) attending Normal School in Saskatoon. She taught at Howard Creek and Emma Lake school, where she also took advantage of the art school operated by the University of Saskatchewan. Life on the farm held vivid memories. Churning butter wasn’t the dull chore many others thought, as Merle always had a book in hand. Berry and vegetable picking, canning, and learning to cook on the old cookstove started Merle on her path of culinary adventure and expertise. The community was filled with extended family that helped form lifelong close-knit family bonds.
Merle’s childhood was centred by faith and that faith entwined and grew within Merle’s thoughtful, spiritual, soul. She entered the Presbyterian Missionary and Deaconess Training School in Toronto. Some of her most enduring friendships began within those walls, and set her on a lifelong path of faith and service and a new home base, Toronto. As a Deaconess she served in the Presbyterian mission in British Guyana. She returned from British Guyana to Toronto and began setting children on the road to a love of reading; teaching grade two and then moving into the much-loved role of school librarian, where she made her mark until retirement. It’s clear from “The Important Book” created by the school’s students for her retirement that Merle was adored. The book focused on the Most Important Thing about Merle and each class noted something different: “she is an excellent librarian; she cares about us; she is always there when we need her; she helps us find the best books; she reads exciting books to us; she is a great storyteller; she can reach the high shelves; she is always smiling; she loves to read us books; she is patient and never yells; she is respectful of all cultures; she likes people; she likes kids; she does special things for every student; she has the loveliest voice that you ever heard; she can read us like a book; she’s like our mom, we like her and love her and she likes us, and we will miss her”.
That adoration from the schoolchildren for Merle’s wonderful qualities was mirrored by her thirteen nieces and nephews who regarded her as Mom Two. The nieces and nephews all received special attention, books, love, good advice, love, laughter, food, wine, and the companionship and guidance of a keen, intelligent mind and gentle spirit.
Merle traveled widely. The traveling bug from her missionary foray in South America took her around the world, from Australia to China to Egypt, Greece, the middle East, to Britain and the Nordic countries, through most of the islands in the Caribbean, and across the United States and Canada. Various companions, from friends to her mother Muriel to assorted nieces and nephews got to tag along. Her traveling advice was simple: take half as much stuff, and twice as much money, as you think you will need.
Merle retired to Saskatoon and built a set of church, spiritual, and close friendships including at Calvin Goforth Presbyterian church, the Prairie Ecumenical Society, Native Circle Ministries, and The Palisades, to name just a few. Merle’s family is grateful for the many years of good care at The Palisades and recently at Diamond House.
“Since our collective births, there has been a standard set for grace. Our Auntie Merle defined perfection and set the reference point for excellence unbelievably high, but with the certain conviction that it is achievable. We have seen and experienced it with our own eyes. The world …. was more easily manageable knowing that Auntie Merle existed within it. We all had a mental absolute that we were worthwhile, because she loved us. If she, who was excellent, loves us, any other assessment of us is less relevant.”
Forever in our hearts, all our love, blessed by your presence, awed by your grace.
Merle is remembered and cherished by: sister Patricia (Ben) Kading; sister Ruth (Larry) Fawcett; nieces and nephews Brenda (Gordon) Aisman; Terry (Keely) Kading; Kerry (Melanie) McGowan; Brant (Connie) Kirychuk; Lauren (Darrin) Kirychuk; Lianne Kading; Shelley Kirychuk, Darren (Annie) Battersby; James (Jodie) McGowan; Patrick (Kasia) Kirychuk; Tami (Duane) Battersby; Merle (Garth) Massie, plus numerous grand-nieces and nephews and extended family who were all much-loved. She was predeceased by her parents, Muriel and Sargent H. McGowan, brother Sargent E. and sister in law Mary McGowan, sister Phyllis and brother in law Don Kirychuk, and nephews David McGowan and Jerald Thiessen. Service will be held at a later date due to Covid restrictions.
Donations in Merle’s memory may be made to Native Circle Ministry in Saskatoon (450 20th St W Saskatoon, SK S7M 0X4) or the Take the Reins fund of Saskatoon Community Foundation (https://saskatooncommunityfoundation.ca/funds/take-the-reins-fund-jerald-thiessen-legacy-fund/)
On Friday June 25th at 11am
A Celebration of Life
Will be held jointly for Sisters
Phyllis Kirychuk
October 10, 1934 – December 16, 2020
And
Merle McGowan
January 27, 1931 – May 28, 2021
Reception to follow
COVID protocols in place and masking required.
Acadia Funeral Home
915 Acadia Drive
Saskatoon, Sask
306-955-1600
Internments:
Phyllis Kirychuk will be laid to rest alongside her husband Donald Kirychuk in Hillcrest Cemetery, 210 Wess Rd, Saskatoon, SK at 2pm on Friday June 25th.
Merle McGowan will be laid to rest alongside her mother and father, Muriel and Sargent McGowan at Memorial Gardens, Prince Albert Saskatchewan on Saturday, June 26th at 1 pm.
Livestream
We understand if you cannot join us in person. Livestream viewing is available for the celebration of life service at https://www.faithproductions.ca/livestreams
Click on the link, click on “June 2021”, click on “McGowan/Kirychuk Service”
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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