Obituary of Douglas Whitelaw

Douglas Whitelaw beloved husband of Evelyn, of Calgary, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at the age of 83 years. Douglas was born on March 12, 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Doug served in the Canadian Forces before attending the University of Manitoba (B.A.), the University of Calgary (B.Ed.) and the University of Minnesota (M.Pysc.). Doug and his family returned to Calgary where Doug began his career with the Calgary Board of Education in a variety of roles. His kindness and compassion were displayed in a number of important and challenging roles including adult education, the Louise Dean School and the championing of "family life and sex education" as part of the school curriculum. In 1977, Douglas retired from the school board and he and Evelyn established the "Bearspaw Greenery", a family run greenhouse, which grew poinsettias, geraniums and bedding plants until 1988. At the end of his life, Doug looked forward to crossword puzzles, Meg’s drop in lunches, Kari’s Seashell Room picnics, Stampeder’s games, the flurry of birds at the feeder and the endless supply of cheese… it is these experiences with him that we will cherish forever. As Doug wrote: "It is not easy to entertain people and it is not easy to educate them." Doug managed to do both. His insightful commentaries made us laugh and made us think. That was the essence of Douglas Whitelaw. Doug will be dearly missed by his wife Evelyn of 52 years. To carry on his legacy of life’s learning’s are his two children Meghan and Brian (Kari) Whitelaw of Calgary, and two grandchildren Jessica (Cole) VanderRoest and Justin Ball. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Margaret, and brother Robert Whitelaw. A Celebration of Douglas’ Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle, N.W.) on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Agape Hospice, 1302 – 8 Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1B8 Telephone: (403) 282-6588. Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful attendants, nurses, doctors and volunteers of the Agape Hospice, who made the last nine months of Doug’s life very comfortable and blessed. Their acts of kindness and unconditional love are too numerous to mention and we were so pleased they too had an opportunity to share in Doug’s wit, wisdom and spirit. In living memory of Douglas Whitelaw, a tree will be planted at Fletcher Park, Airdrie by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.