Obituary of Margaret Ann McGinn May

1964 – 2017 Dedicated mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, community volunteer. After a courageous battle with a Glioblastoma brain cancer, Meg passed away quietly on Saturday, April 15, with her family by her side. She leaves behind her sons: Mitchell, Joey and Eddie and their father Doug. She will also be dearly missed by her mother, Arlene McGinn, White Rock, BC, father Joe McGinn, Calgary, brother Fred McGinn (Linda; Megan, Melissa) West Vancouver BC, brother, Doug McGinn, Langley, BC, sister Marcelyn McGinn Reynolds (Paul; Josh, Jorja) London, UK. Meg was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, July 16 1964 and moved to Calgary in 1967. She attended Bishop Carroll High School, Mount Royal College and later University of British Columbia. She was a competitive team-player with skill and dedication in basketball, volleyball, skiing and community hockey, and later golf became her game. Meg entered the working world in Vancouver with B.C. Tourism/Hospitality; Expo, Vancouver BC; Super Host programs and later worked at the Canadian Pavilion at Expo in Brisbane, Australia. Meg and Doug travelled to Europe (Budapest) in the early days of their marriage and is where Mitchell was born. Toronto was the next destination, where the twins Joey and Eddie were born, before finally settling back in Calgary in 2004. In addition to being a wonderful mother, she was blessed with boundless energy and an incredible zest for life. She was a hockey mother, and in the past year saw Joey and Eddie play hockey in Camrose, Alberta and son Mitchell continue his studies at McGill University. One of her passions was staying in touch with the people she cared about, by phone or in person, to assist them when and where needed. She touched many. She deeply cherished her friendships. Many of these friends have reciprocated during the past months with daily support and care. During the medical challenge of the past 9 months when Meg was in Foothills Hospital, the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Rosedale Hospice, Meg, together with her family and friends, chose to “Celebrate” her life while she was with us. “To Meg with Love”: a collection of memories written by her friends was created and formed into two booklets; a golf party, where golf friends shared and traded Meg’s golf shirts; a concert, where her neighbors and family friends together celebrated Christmas; and a dinner prepared by her high-school friends where they Face-Timed her girlfriend in Florida. Meg, her family and friends participated in the “Make a Difference” fund-raiser initiated by Calgarians for Glioblastoma Research being done by Dr. Kelly. The $500,000 raised will hopefully help develop treatments and a cure for this type of brain cancer. Meg’s life would have been much shorter without the support of Alberta Health Services, Foothills Hospital, the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and, for the last 5 months, the Rosedale Hospice. The staff, Director of Care Alison Potter and Dr. Tara Pickering provided very knowledgeable and comforting care. To Meg’s family and friends: she would want you to continue to spend time with people that make you happy. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1307 – 14th Street S.W.) on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Hospice Calgary Rosedale Hospice, (1245 70th Ave S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2X8), (403) 263-4525, www.hospicecalgary.com/page/donate. In living memory of Meg McGinn May, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.