Lois Muriel Daly

Lois Muriel Daly, our independent, loving, humble, and wise mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (GG) died peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Lois was born in Hamiota, MB, and grew up on her family farm in Crandall, MB, with her parents Myrtle and Alvy Dickey, and her only sibling Gretchen.  Her sister was six years older so when Gretchen was helping her dad with the farm, Lois’s independent spirit was born while playing on her own and enjoying all the nature of the prairies.  She also had many fun times on the farm with her cousins Claudia, Sheila, and John Dickey. In 1948 her parents left the farm and moved out to Burnaby, BC where Gretchen and her husband Lawrence Shetler were living.  Lois entered Brandon College at 16 (she was a smart cookie) and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree.  Brandon College is where she met her future husband Rev. Gordon Daly. Lois moved to the west coast after graduation and worked in Burnaby and Vancouver before getting married to Gordon in 1952.  Lois and Gordon made their home in Brookdale, MB for one year before moving to Edinburgh while Gordon was on two-year study leave. The return to Canada with the United Church took them to Northwestern Ontario (Cochenour, Balmertown, and McKenzie Island), Swan River, MB, St. Arnaud Australia, Thunder Bay, ON, and Calgary (Riverview United Church) in 1980.  Lois was a true force as a minister’s wife managing the household gracefully as Gordon was busy with church business and many meetings out of town.  She was famous for making German buns which were enjoyed at many church functions.

Lois became a young widow at 60 and it was her family that was her pride and joy. She was a strong foundation for 34 years connecting her family where she could. She continued to own the property on Black Sturgeon Lake in Kenora, ON for 25 years, which was a place for family and friends to come together.  Her home in Calgary was also a place for weddings, reunions, and many other get-togethers over the years. She was fortunate to be able to stay in her home into her 90s.  Lois was well-informed (read the Globe and Mail daily), a musician, athlete, sports fan, world traveler, blueberry picker extraordinaire, nature lover, camper, family historian, creative writer, and above all was all about family.

She will be remembered for her kind, compassionate spirit by her children, Bruce (Val), Lorne (Elena), Marlene (Dave), and Mark (Chiang); her grandchildren, Meghan (Alex), Rebecca (Rob), Andrew (Sarah), Connor, and Luther; and her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Grace, Hannah, Sky, and Given. She will be missed by brother-in-law Norm Harvey; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Daly in 1989 and her daughter Claudia in 1957.

Lois was an alumna and proud supporter of Brandon University (www.brandonu.ca/give/donate/), and a member and supporter of Knox Presbyterian Church in Calgary (www.knoxcalgary.ca/donate). She supported many other charities and was particularly fond of Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/content/other-ways-give). In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to one of these charities or another charity of your choosing.

A Celebration of life will be celebrated at a later date.
 

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