Davidson DAVIDSON

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DAVIDSON: Davidson (Reeves), Myrtle Elizabeth, January 26th 1917 – July 14th 2014. Born and died at home in peace. Loving mom to Heather (the late Mario Therrien), Bruce (Harriet Ireland), and Gordon (Barbara Ford). Beloved grandma to Natasha (Hugo), Marc (Kylie), Alexander (Carrie), Rachel, and Sarah. Kind great-grandma to Lexi. Myrtle was born to Richard and Ellen Reeves in Lachine, Quebec. Her father died in the 1918 flu epidemic. Her mother later married Edward Turner but Myrtle was largely brought up by her grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth Fortey. Her grandmother was also the mid-wife at her birth. Myrtle graduated from the old Lachine High School on 36th Street in 1934 and from Mount Royal Business College in Montreal in 1935. Most of her high school classmates died in the Second World War. She taught Sunday school and was in young people’s group with Robert Douglas Davidson. They married on September 26th, 1942 at St. Stephen’s. Her heart was with him and the church. Doug predeceased Myrtle in 1990. She lived in Lachine for 92 years, moving to Brandon, Manitoba in late 2009 to live with family. Children came as miracles later in her life. She loved and supported all our activities and plans. Mom loved us all unconditionally. She enjoyed supporting Doug’s endeavours and the entertaining or formal functions of being a company wife as Doug rose in the Standard Life Assurance Company. Much of her life was spent in volunteer work. She was a frequent president and secretary of the Altar Guild, and Anglican Church Women at St. Stephen’s. She organized the World Day of Prayer for the West Island of Montreal for many years. She was a founder of the Popote Roulant (Meals on Wheels) in Lachine. She received a medal from the Red Cross for 50 years of volunteering, presented by the Governor General. She organized volunteers at blood clinics in the West Island for about 40 years stopping when she was 83. She took up oil painting at 73 and was a member of the Prairie Oasis Art Group in Brandon for over 20 years on her frequent visits west. She saw the world through an artist’s eyes framing scenes and designing colors as she looked at nature. Myrtle loved travelling with Doug. They were regulars on Cape Cod and in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Special trips included a tour of England, Scotland and Wales returning by a Cunard Lines ship with Treasure Jones as Captain, a winter spent in New Zealand and Australia, and an Alaskan cruise. They motored throughout North America. After Doug’s death Myrtle travelled with family including a helicopter tour of Mount Rushmore at age 89. Myrtle lived a life of service to her Lord and to her community. She was a quiet, gentle leader, ever gracious and a diplomat. Her last words were thanking her home care nurses. The family wishes to thank Dr. Uys, home and palliative care who enabled her to stay with the family. Daughter On Call and Westman Hospice also helped everyone in her last days. A funeral will be held at St. Stephen’s Church in Lachine at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 2nd. The family would like to meet with friends at 1:00 pm. Burial in the churchyard will be after the service. A traditional St. Stephen’s coffee time will follow. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to Myrtle’s beloved St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 25 12th St., Lachine, Quebec, H8S 1B2. This will help maintain the oldest, active Anglican Church in Montreal. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 26, 2014