It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Mom and Grammy, Myrna-Lou. Surrounded by those who loved her, Myrna died on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at Health Sciences Center. Myrna was predeceased by her husband John Philip (Phil) McGregor on September 22, 1995. She is survived by her daughters Shauna Bunting (Doug), Gaelyn McGregor (Russell Metcalf) and her son Douglas McGregor (Christine), as well as her four grandchildren, Matthew and Ashleigh Bunting, Colleen McGregor Furlan, and Emily McGregor. Also left to grieve are her nieces and nephew and Myrna’s loving companion, Donald McKinnon.
Mom was born on March 20, 1935. The youngest of three daughters born to Alphaeus and Irene Rourke, she grew up happily among the vegetables and flowers of her father’s market garden. It was here that her passion for gardening was born. As a young woman her soprano voice became her gift. She performed in many Rainbow Stage and Gilbert and Sullivan productions. She married her high school sweetheart Phil on April 27, 1957 and this is when her life’s work as a devoted mother and grandmother began.
She dedicated a good part of her life supporting the Manitoba Highland Dancer’s Association and she was a founding member of the School of Scottish Arts. Past President of the MHDA, she was well known as the mother of two and grandmother to three dancers, two of which, Colleen and Emily, are still dancing together today.
Mom was also a huge supporter of all the many sports her grandchildren participated in. Besides attending dance competitions she could be seen cheering on her grandson Matthew at all of his hockey games and her granddaughter Ashleigh at her speed skating meets. She also attended every music festival, school concert and grad ceremony that involved one or all of her grandchildren. She was their biggest fan.
Mom loved to travel. With our dad she spent many summers camping at Clear Lake and together they cruised through the Panama Canal which was a highlight of their life together shortly before Dad passed away. Later in life, Mom found great joy in traveling the world with Don McKinnon. Together, they covered most of the globe and her passion for travel, particularly cruising, never abated.
Above all, Mom will be remembered for her dedication to family – expressing heartfelt joy for accomplishments and supporting us during times of sadness. We love you Mom and we are so very proud of the way you lived your life.
A special thank you to the Winnipeg Emergency Medical Service and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre for their exceptional and gentle care of our Mom. A special thanks to Dr. Ron Cappellani and Kathy MacRae for their friendship, kindness and support at HSC during our time of great sadness.
A celebration of our Mom’s life will be held at Thomson Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 8 at 11:00 AM. Rev. Millie Rochester of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Winnipeg Humane Society or CancerCare Manitoba would be most appreciated.
“In Life Beloved - In Death Lamented”
Arrangements under the direction of Thomson Funeral Home, Winnipeg, MB.
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