Arya McDOUGALL-MacLAINE
Arya McDOUGALL-MacLAINE
Arya McDOUGALL-MacLAINE
Arya McDOUGALL-MacLAINE

Obituary of Arya Nerissa McDOUGALL-MacLAINE

December 13, 2013 
October 15, 2020

Arya McDougall-MacLaine of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the tender age of 6 years.

“When life is short, make it sweet”

Arya was born in Calgary, AB, on December 13, 2013.  She was born at home, on a snowy December evening, and passed away just steps from where she was born as she listened to stories and watched the snow fall on a crisp October morning. 

Despite her short life, Arya made quite an impact on the world she left behind.  It is often said that ‘we should leave the world a better place than we found it’, and that is exactly what Arya did.  Arya had an exuberance for life and adventure, and a giggle that made your heart melt.  She never turned down a chance at anything and was always the first one ready to go for any adventure. She often remarked on the beauty of her surroundings, and how much she loved her family.  And from the time she learned the word “again!” she used it daily.  

The ease with which Arya made friends was admirable.  She loved all of her friends dearly and was always happy in their presence. The morning after one of Arya’s brain surgeries, she asked if she could take a wheelchair and go down to the hospital gift shop. Once there, she did not pick anything for herself, but instead asked if she could have her piggy bank to buy some things for her friends.  
  
Arya also made the world a better place through her immeasurable contributions to the advancement of cancer research. Throughout Arya’s cancer journey, she donated several tumour and blood samples to research banks, participated in 4 different clinical trials (2 of them abroad), and after death, donated her tumour and brain to cancer research.  It is hoped that her journey has contributed greatly to what is known about pediatric cancer and immunotherapy, and that these contributions will eventually save other families from the same tragedy. 

While Arya enjoyed many things about life, she particularly enjoyed playing in the water.  She loved elephants and claimed that it was because they loved to play in the water, just as she did. She was always the first one in the water wherever we went, and always seemed at peace when she was near it.  When offered the chance to ‘Make-A-Wish’, Arya first wished to see elephants, but when that was not possible, she chose to spend her time in the water in Hawaii, snorkeling with the sea turtles, playing in the waves, and making friends at the swimming pool.  

Arya was also a bit of an adrenalin junkie, always wanting to try any adventurous challenge: ziplining, jumping from cliffs into lakes, going on roller coasters, go-carting, and trying any waterslide her height would allow!  Even with her declining balance and ataxia, she completed the 5 line zipline course in Maui, Hawaii, at just 5 years old – the only zipline course we could find that would allow a child of that age to participate!

Arya also spent a great deal of time outdoors with her family; she enjoyed everything from neighbourhood walks, Beaver Scout adventures, and horseback riding, to road tripping and backcountry camping. The outdoors was the furthest thing possible from hospital appointments and cancer treatment.  Accordingly, it was one place where Arya could feel removed from that part of her life. When camping, she could swim, bike, hike, play with friends, hang out at the fire or in the hammock, and be a normal kid, and she always slept well in the tent.  

As a challenge, and a way to raise awareness of her journey, Arya completed 50 Nights in a Tent in 2019.  Her webpage (www.aryasjourney.wordpress.com) details her ‘50 Nights in a Tent’ adventure, as well as numerous other adventures she had following her terminal diagnosis.  For her adventurous spirit, courage, and high character in the face of great difficulty/suffering, she was awarded the Jack Cornwall Decoration from Scouts Canada in spring 2020.

Arya is survived by her mother Petra McDougall, father Jacob MacLaine, and three brothers Aeolus, Zephyrus, Elysium McDougall-MacLaine; as well as her grandparents, Rod and Lynne McDougall, Neil MacLaine and Rebecca Horne; three aunts, Lara McDougall, Bonnie MacLaine, Paula MacLaine; uncle Robert MacLaine, and six cousins, Deon Amoo, Emelyn Amoo, Ben Mills, Sully Mills, Izzy Mills, and Leon Amoo.

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain” (Vivian Greene), and Arya sure did an amazing dance in the rain!

Arya, you have made an immense contribution to this world with your bravery, love, and sacrifice and we will make sure that is never forgotten.   

A Celebration of Arya’s Life is being planned for spring 2021 as an outdoor event in NW Calgary. We will provide updates as details become available.

We would be grateful if donations in honour of Arya’s life be directed to Kids Cancer Care, 5757 – 4th Street SE, Calgary, AB  T2H 1K8, https://www.kidscancercare.ab.ca,  the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, #112, 2025 West Broadway, Vancouver BC, V6J 1Z6 Tel: (1-888) 822-9474, www.makeawish.ca, the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB  T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955.8818. www.childrenshospital.ab.ca, or to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, https://www.rmhc.org. Arya’s GoFundMe is also still active, and we will ensure that any donations to her GoFundMe are directed to organizations that have helped Arya or other children battling cancer.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Arya’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Arya McDougall-MacLaine, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES.
 

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