December 16, 1921 to June 17, 2009
Mona Macgillivray passed away peacefully in Victoria, at the age of 87 years. Born in Calgary on December 16, 1921 to parents, Letty and Joseph Walsh, Mona lived in Vancouver and Victoria. She was an alumna of Little Flower Academy and St. Ann’s Academy and maintained a strong connection to the Sisters of St. Ann throughout her life. Our Mum was a kind and gracious lady, a blessing to her family and friends. She was a lifelong supporter of the Catholic Church and C.W.L. Mona received a medal from the Diocese of Victoria for her lifelong dedication which included over forty years of creating magnificent flower arrangements at St. Patrick’s Church. To her extended family, Mona, a.k.a. “Papa,” was famous for her unstinting love, understanding and humour, as well as her endless supply of shortbread, fudge, orange jelly and lemon meringue pies. To the Macgillivray’s across Canada she was known as the “Aunty with the Hats” and the contributor of wickedly funny song lyrics. Mona was predeceased by her sister, Patricia and husband, Allan. She is dearly missed by her children, Letty Simpson, David (Linda), Paddy Robertson (Stewart) and Moira Gill (Michael); eight grandchildren and her nine treasured great-grandchildren. She is also lovingly remembered by her cousins in Ireland and her many cherished lifelong friends. Special gratitude goes to Fr. Ian Stuart for his spiritual care in her last days. Our great thanks and appreciation go to the staff at Selkirk Place for their love and care.
Prayers will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, 2060 Haultain Street on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm with the Reverend Father Ho officiating. In lieu of the flowers Mona loved so dearly, please make a donation to a cause of your choice.
16 Responses
I love you
Dear David and the rest of Mona’s Family,
Just a word to say how sorry we were to hear that your Mum had passed away. We have a lot of wonderful memories of her, especially Bill when he was younger, and Liz of her doing the flowers at church and other functions that she was a part of.
We remember especially her fondness for Bill’s Mum, Bernice.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Bill and Liz Wharf
My mother, Mary Mason (now 91) wishes me to convey to Mona’s family her sincere condolences. Mona was a classy lady in gloves and hat. Pat was also a dear friend and Mum loved their parents also. What a loving tribute to a grand lady. God bless you.
So sorry for your loss I enjoyed every second of my time with Mona She had an amazing sense of humour.She will really really be missed
I am so sorry to learn that Aunt Mona has died. Her obituary truly does her justice, so I know how much you must be missing her. Weren’t we lucky to know her? My love and prayers to all of you as you mourn a grand and gifted lady!
Dear Moira, Paddy and Stewart,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the sad news of the death of your Mom.
Mona was always so elegantly dressed and her hats were the envy of many.
You and your family were the first friends we made when we moved to Victoria to attend St. Ann’s .It is at times of loss that we reflect on the friendship and experiences we have had in the presence of one another and we (both my Mom and I) feel blessed to have known your Mom.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss and know that we are thinking of you as you mourn your Mom.
She was indeed a very special person.
My Mom and I will be at her funeral tomorrow.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful,to be honorable,to be compassionate,to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fondest regards to you all,
Ursula Reder
Christine,John,Emily,Natalie and Justin Miller