Grace McCANN

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McCANN: The family sadly announces the passing of Grace McCann (nee Evans) of Windsor, Ontario on January 16, 2020. Born December 14, 1934. Daughter of Lillian (Hamilton) and Reginald Evans. Predeceased by her husband Alan, she leaves 3 daughters; Susan (George) Burford, Nancy (Don) Harrison and Janet (Bob) Howell. There are 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. Sister to Gary (Barbara McDowell) Evans of Winnipeg, predeceased by sister Merle (Art, deceased) Best of Calgary. Born in La Riviere, Manitoba, moved to Brandon, Manitoba on her father’s transfer there with the CPR. Faithful member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training). Attended Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary where she learned leadership skills that served her well in later life. Grace learned the game of golf from her mother and she excelled at an early age. She played at the Brandon Golf and Country Club and the Clear Lake Golf Club in Manitoba for many years, both with her parents and her brother, and also in many tournaments. Camp counsellor at the Baptist camp at Clear Lake for several summers and taught many young people a love of swimming. After she married Alan McCann whom she met while working as Women’s Physical Education Director at the Sudbury, Ontario, YMCA, they moved to Ethiopia where they worked with the Y. Grace continued to play golf there occasionally and won the 1963 Ethiopia Open, that country’s national championship. Two of her daughters were born in Ethiopia. Upon the family’s return to Canada, Grace became very involved with golf and introduced many people to the game, and she was determined that the women’s game earn as much recognition as that of the men. She served as president of the Ontario Ladies Golf Association and the Canadian Ladies Golf Association, and over the years won many championships and senior titles, including 3-time ladies club champion at Pointe West Golf Club in Amherstburg, Ontario. Although in fragile health in her later years, she continued her interest in golf when she became a resident of Chartwell St. Clair Beach Retirement Residence. She served as league captain of a 3-hole fun league for residents on the artificial putting green at the residence. Grace had a lovely smile and a wonderful laugh and a great zest for life. Messages of condolence can be left at Families First-South Windsor, 3260 Dougall Avenue, Windsor, ON N9E 1S6 www.familiesfirst.ca/memorials/grace-ccann/4077140/service-details.php

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 22, 2020