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.
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Genna-Leigh
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Bill and Liz Wharf 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
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Carla Moffatt 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.
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debi gordon 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
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Frances Wyman 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!
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Christine Miller and Ursula Reder 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
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Lynn & Ron Dorcas Dear Paddy and Stewart:
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of your dear Mom, Mona. Although we have never met your Mom, we have heard such wonderful stories about the magnificent woman that she was. Paddy, I am sure that the wonderful qualities that you possess have been passed on by your Mom. We truly understand what you are going through with the recent loss of our dear Mom. Memories will be a wonderful source of strength in the days and months ahead. You are all in our thoughts and prayers….
Much love, Lynn and Ron oxoxox
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Ann Thomson (Sister of St. Ann) Dear Moira and Family,
I am writing to (YOU because I do remember you from High school at St. Ann’s Academy) to let you and your family know that I have been praying for you during this loss of your wonderful mother, Mona.
I have had the privilege of visiting Mona weekly and bringing communion to her over the past several months.
It has been a very touching journey for me. I remembered your mother from my younger days when I lived in Oak Bay and attended Church at St. Pat’s
She has been truly an inspiration for me as she journeyed her last months at Selkrik.
I will attend the funeral tomorrow.
Prayerfully,
Ann Thomson (sister of St. Ann)
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Margaret Hollands (Flanagan) Mona was truly gracious. She always had a smile and a pleasant word for me whenever we met. I’ll remember her whenever I see the floral arrangements at St. Patrick’s. She always put out such beautiful bouquets.
God bless,
Margaret
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Margo MacGillivray It is a very sad day, I guess I hoped that we would have another reunion and Aunt Mona would be the life of the party once again, Time is a terrible Thief. It was her time to join Mom and dad and Uncle Allan the rest of the clan who have passed away. I am sad for her devoted children who, whenever I would mention Their Mom a smile would come the their faces, the great love and respect for their mother was so apparent. Every girlie weekend we looked forward to our call to Auntie Mona and her bright conversation and wonderful sence of humor. I first met Aunt Mona and Uncle Allan on a trip across canada in the late 70’s, she and Uncle Allan who was a clone of my Dad welcomed Lucy and I into their home and immediately took us to see Bouchards garden’s, what a beautiful place and we learned of Aunt mona’s love of flowers. How I wished I lived closer and had spend more time with her. Our weekend in Saskatoon was wonderful also. She is and will always be one the right lights of my and all of our lives.
I wish I could be there to hug all of you. A special hug to my assistant Chief.
Much love Margo(Chief on earth)
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Nancy and Gord Stuart Moira and Paddy,
We have kept you in our prayers these past few weeks as you spent your last days with your Mum. We all know she is now in a better place, at peace in the arms of the Lord. You have been through a difficult year so be gentle on yourselves as you mourn your Mum and treasure all the happy memories. Remember the Strawberry Teas at St. Francis in Vancouver. May she rest in peace.
All our love,
Nancy and Gord
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Berga Macgillivray Letty, David, Paddy and Moira and your families – I am so very sorry for your loss. Your Mom will be greatly missed by all of us. Her sense of humour, graciousness and style cannot be forgotten.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all and your families at the very difficult time.
Love to all
Berga
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Margie Corrigan To Aunt Mona’s immediate & extended family, I want to say how sorry we are that you’ve lost your mother/grandmother/great grandmother, the heart of the family. She was our Aunty with the hats and was so happy when we called her that. Her sense of humour was incredible and her kindness well appreciated. We’ll miss her, but be sure we’ll toast her at our girlie week-ends.
Margie & Skip
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Joanna Macgillivray I am lucky enough to have been a recipient of many of Aunty Mona’s hats, which are beautiful. Also lucky enough to have known her in my adult life, and been a partner-in-crime on some of her deliciously “wicked” song lyrics! She also tried to teach me the great art of flower arrangement; and I came away with a wee bit of knowledge, but nowhere near the talent with which she was able to create magnificent wedding altar arangements from a bunch of weeds picked on the side of a road in rural Nova Scotia! She used to tell me “there’s no such thing as too many flowers!”.
We used to chat off and on until her accident last year, and after her admittance to hospital it was not possible. I always hung up with a smile on my face after our “chats”. She had quite the quick whit as well. My most favorite story is when she was visiting Mum and me in Toronto about 20-25 years ago. We had other guests and were all playing Trivial Pursuit in teams. Gary made some comment about his “Eau de Texico” and without hesitaion, Mona came back with …”Oh I thought it was more like “Shellamar””! I cracked up! That was my first and definately not my last encounter with her sense of humour. Guess I was too young on previous scant visits!
To all her children, whom I am fortunate enough to know, and her grandchildren, not so much and her great-granchildren whom I know not at all, I offer my condolences. I will miss her too.
Jo
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Jim O'Reilly Dear Moira and Family,
Thinking of you and cherishing fond memories. Be assured of our continued prayers.
Love from the O’Reilly’s
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Patrick Card Dear Moira and Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss your mother. Every time I saw Mona she was impeccably dressed and well-presented. I know that she was also a very gifted floral arranger and a terrific person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during this difficult time. May God be with you.Patrick Card
I love you