Phyllis Elaine (Lucas) McDougall (Laudi) passed away on May 18th, 2020 at 95 years old in Nanaimo, BC. She was born on June 29, 1924 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She called herself a prairie flower who had worked in the woods and learned logger lingo.
Predeceased by her parents Samuel John (Jack) Lucas and Violet Victoria Mary Rayburn (Thompson) Lucas, her beloved husband Johnny (Mac) McDougall, sister and brother in law Jocelyn and Stuart McIntyre, Sister in law and brother in law Norma and Shorty Stirling.
Family left to celebrate and honour her life – brother Douglas Garth Lucas; children Nancy Tsangaris (Barry) Nanaimo, Laurie McDougall (Sue and Grand Doggy Jenny) Coquitlam and Jeanette McDougall Hudson’s Hope; grandchildren Stathi (Barb and family), John (Valetta and family), Shannon (Derek), Patrick (Robert), numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nephews and cousins in Canada and the United States, and former daughter in law Deborah McDougall. As well she was loved by and will be missed by Barry’s children and grandchildren.
Phyllis lived in Regina and migrated West, later settling in Vancouver where she worked for Boeing Aircraft and different legal firms. She met Mac on the top of Grouse Mountain when they both belonged to the Boeing Grouse Mountain Ski Club.
When Mac proposed to Phyl he was living in Sayward and said he had a place for them to live ($5 per month) and there was running water and a biffy available. They married and Phyl went to Sayward, but it turns out the running water was the river in front of the “shack” and the biffy was out behind the closest tree!
Phyl helped Mac at Windy Bay where she was a “Whistle Punk” and later helped him with the sawmill he built.
They welcomed their three children during their 10 years in Sayward. In the mid 1950’s they moved to Campbell River where Mac built the Campbell River Woodworkers and Phyl worked alongside Mac in the business.
Over the years Phyl helped with the Girl Guide group, was a member of the American Embroiderers Guild Institute, at 60 years old she became a registered parliamentarian and was a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians including teaching a course in San Diego, CA. One article she wrote for the NAPO magazine was picked up by the US Postal Service. She helped many clubs in Campbell River, Powell River, Courtenay and Nanaimo with their By-Laws.
She was a member of the former Toastmistress Club, and then the Toastmasters Club. A bursary was set up in her name to thank her for all her assistance while she was a member of the C.R. Women’s Business Network. She was a Paul Harris Fellow and proud of her honorary membership in Rotary.
Phyl and Mac enjoyed trips to various overseas countries, and their many hours boating from British Columbia to Alaska in the Offbeat and the Damifino.
Nancy moved home in 2008 to help both Phyl and Mac. Phyl and Nancy moved to Nanaimo in April of 2018 and it was Phyl’s decision to move into the Nanaimo Senior’s Village, she referred to it as the Village and became one of the “Village People”. She was happy to be living close to all her family in Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland. In March of 2020, Phyl required a higher level of care and moved into Avenir Memory Care.
Phyl loved having family dinners and lunches with five generations. Phyl, Nancy and Barry enjoyed attending concerts and the theatre at both the Port Theatre and the Chemainus Theatre where Nancy and Phyl were members.
Laudi has gone to be with her Johnny where he can take Ms. Phyllis for rides in the Duck Mobile.
Thank you to Nanaimo Senior’s Village Assisted Living for all your assistance to Mom for the first year and a half she lived in Nanaimo. Most recently, a huge Thank you to Avenir Memory Care for all your attention to and special care of Mom during her last couple of months of life.
Respecting Phyl’s wishes, there will be no Celebration of Life.
When you hear KD Lang’s version of Halleluiah or John McDermott’s version of Danny Boy – sip your tea and think of our “GG Phyl” (the name she wanted the family to call her).
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations may be made to the Campbell River Rotary Club Foundation, PO Box 25072, Campbell River BC V9N 0B7 or BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Tribute Program, 938 28th Ave W, Vancouver BC V5Z 4H4.
Thank you to First Memorial Funeral Services for providing cremation arrangements.
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