Meredith Alyssa Ivall was born March 7, 1990 in Atikokan Ontario. She completed high school in Atikokan and received many awards including the Michael Smith Award, and the Thomas Oppenheimer Award. Meredith left Atikokan to go to Halifax where she began her university education at Dalhousie University. In June 2011 her studies were interrupted and she began her first fight with cancer. She returned to Northwestern Ontario to beat her cancer with the help of Dr. Vergedis and the oncology team at Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre. In January 2013 Meredith resumed her university studies at the University of Waterloo as a Pharmacy Student. While studying in Waterloo she also completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Dalhousie University. As of June 2015, she was 14 months away from earning her doctorate in pharmacy when her cancer returned. She was in the midst of working on her co-op placement at Beechwood Wellness Pharmacy in Waterloo. Meredith was proud to have worked as a pharmacy student at Atikokan Pharmacy, and Woit’s Pharmacy. Meredith’s experience as a student Trustee for the Rainy River District School Board was the first stepping stone to being a student intern for the Ontario Pharmacist’s Association. Meredith also worked as a Lifeguard in Atikokan.
Meredith’s life was full of awards and accolades. In her most recent semester, she was proud to have made the Dean’s list. The honours she received were the result of her drive and determination to do well at everything she put her mind to. Meredith would chuckle at a motto she had on her apartment wall “Fake it until you make it”, there was nothing fake about Meredith. Meredith was courageous in her fight with cancer and in all challenges she faced. Meredith exemplified the idiom “grace under pressure.” Meredith had a zest for life, a “you have to try everything once” attitude. She loved to dance and travel and to be busy. Even as she fought her final round with cancer she was signing up to help out on committees. Meredith was full of laughter and love, especially when spending time with her family and friends. Meredith surrounded herself with people who lifted her spirit, and Meredith lifted the spirits of those who were around her. Her Mantra was “good vibes only.” Even in her final days, her sense of humour kept her sister Paige and brothers Grant and Brad smiling. Meredith had many dreams that she did not get an opportunity to fulfill. She was going to travel, get married, adopt children, run the Pharmacy School in Waterloo and have juice and potion parties with Lincoln, her nephew.
Meredith’s spirit is hope for a better tomorrow; Meredith’s spirit is courage; Meredith’s spirit is love and inspiration.
Meredith leaves her family to carry on her spirit. Mom and Dad (Lorene Legaree and Jeff Lehman); her sister Paige and brother-in law Brad Gascoigne, her brother Grant Legaree and Nephew Lincoln Gascoigne. Grandfather Don Legaree. Aunts and Uncles; Ian Legaree and Shawna Lampi-Legaree, Robin and Brent Johnson, Kristi Legaree and Blaine and Terri Legaree and all her cousins and friends.
Meredith is also survived by her biological father Glenn Ivall and wife Nancy, Aunts and Uncles Lynn Ivall, Faith Ivall, Heather Ivall and their families.
Meredith was predeceased by her Grandparents Vivien Lorraine (Olson) Legaree, Edward Ivall and Antonia Ivall.
A celebration of Meredith's life will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 145 in Atikokan, Ontario.
If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Tamarack House, Grand River Oncology or the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Oncology.
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