Madeleine Furness Gollop

April 4, 1925 – October 16, 2011

Madeleine Furness was born in Montreal on April 4, 1925. She was predeceased by her mother Lucy, her father Arthur and her husband Bernie (2000). She is survived by her sister Anne, her son Mike, daughter-in-law Anna Fornal and grandson Alex.

Madeleine grew up in Montreal. She joined the R.C.A.F in 1943 and served in Canada until 1945. She met Bernie Gollop at a meeting of the Montreal Naturalists Society. They were married in Montreal and moved out to the prairies in 1949 where Bernie spent his career with the Canadian Wildlife Service. They settled in Saskatoon in 1950 when, as Madeleine recalled, “it was a charming city of 50,000.” She received her B.A. and B.Ed. from the U of S and, while she never taught in the classroom, she maintained a lifelong interest in education and educational issues. She was a voracious reader with a keen interest in history. She had a lifelong passion for observing the natural world around her, especially the weather and changing skies – nothing gave her more pleasure than a good thunderstorm. She was an enthusiastic naturalist interested in birds and wildflowers and extended this interest through raising a variety of plants in her home. She was a gentle soul who never sought to shine and made those around her feel acknowledged and appreciated. Though always willing to find something to be worried about, she nevertheless maintained a joyful spirit throughout her life. Her imagination was a boundless and entertaining, and she never felt constrained by facts when describing an event. Madeleine enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She loved to go out for lunch, especially to The Willows. She and Bernie made many trips to Vancouver to visit her sister and later when Bernie was retired, they spent several winter months there each year returning in the spring, Madeleine’s favourite season. She was a wonderful partner and mother, a beloved grandmother and mother-in-law and a good friend. She will be dearly missed. In keeping with Madeleine and the family’s wishes, no service will be held. Arrangements are in care of Kurtis Rae of Acadia McKague’s Funeral Centre, 955-1600.