EDITH MCPHERSON

EDITH MARY McPHERSON
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edith Mary McPherson (Coe) on December 3, 2023 at the age of 97.

Edith was born on September 20, 1926 in West Yorkshire, England to John and Annie Coe. She grew up near the village of Saltaire with her parents and four siblings.

Edith left home to train as a Nurse and received her qualifications from the Saint Luke's Hospital in Huddersfield as a Registered General Nurse in 1948. She received speciality qualifications in midwifery and later in infectious disease at the Sheriff Hill Isolation Hospital in Gateshead. It was in North East England that she met Frank McPherson, a mechanical engineer from Aberdeen, Scotland. They were married in 1954, and immigrated to Canada with their one-year old son in 1956. They settled near Toronto where their second child, a daughter was later born.

Edith and Frank raised their family in Ontario, and later in Montréal, Quebec. Following Frank's retirement in the 1980s, they moved to the Ottawa Valley where they built their beautiful dream home in the country. For 20 years they enjoyed gardening, time with their dogs, and camping adventures in their tent trailer. While also returning to work part time at the Grove Nursing Home in Arnprior, Edith honed her skills as a talented stained-glass artist, figure skating judge, and Scottish Country dancer.

Following the death of her husband in 2007, Edith moved to Thunder Bay to be close to her daughter, son-in-law and her two granddaughters.

After arriving in Thunder Bay at the age of 81, Edith picked up the training of her young, and beloved Sheltie, Caira. She spent the next decade training her dog in Rally Obedience and Agility with K-9 Studios, the Canine Coaching Club, and TBAD Agility Dogs. She competed in the area trials and inspired the young and old alike with her attitude. As the oldest competitor at age 89, a photo of Edith running Caira around the agility course at one of the trials was published in the local paper and captured an accomplishment she was very proud of. Memories of the fun times with the dogs and the friends she made throughout her 80s and early 90s remained dear to Edith.

Edith will be remembered for her kindness, incredible resilience and determination, and her endless interest in learning and mastering new skills. Her energy and spirit to keep thinking, doing, and moving carried her right up until her final weeks. Her daughter and granddaughters were shaped by her character and will be forever thankful for her support of their academic, creative, and other pursuits.

Edith was predeceased by her parents, siblings Ernest, Constance, Edwin, and Dennis, her husband Frank, and son Roderick. She is survived by her daughter Moira (Mark Puumala), granddaughters Emily and Lauren, and several nieces and nephews in the United Kingdom and Canada.

The family would like to thank the many staff at Glacier Ridge Retirement Home for their support of Edith over the years that she resided there. She grew to love her place at Glacier Ridge, the activities, and the friendships she formed there. We thank the Home Care staff, and most particularly Carolyn, for providing unbelievable kindness and care to Edith over the past couple of years.

We would also like to thank Dr. Kennedy, and the doctors and nurses at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Care Group (SJCG) for the care and compassion that was given to Edith over the past few years. Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at SJCG for their support during and after her final days.

Cremation has taken place and Edith's remains will be laid to rest in the Ottawa Valley. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held in Thunder Bay in the new year.

Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca