Obituary of Doris "Dolly" McCrindle

It is with profound sadness that the family of Doris (Dolly) McCrindle announce that she passed away September 24, 2014 at the age of 79 at the Consort Longterm Care Facility. Dolly was born June 5, 1935 in Mapplewell, Yorkshire England to Doris and John Egan. Sister Jean was born 3 years later. She attended school in Mapplewell and then after age 11, Barnsley Girls’ High School. This is where Dolly learned that she had a passion for history, an interest that lasted the rest of her life. Domestic skills like knitting and sewing were also taught at the Girls’ High School and she used those skills to create beautiful things for her children and grandchildren, nieces and friends. Dolly attended two years of teacher training college at Kenton Lodge after high school and taught back home in Mapplewell for 4 years after achieving her teaching certificate. In 1959, Dolly decided to apply for a teaching position in Canada. Her plan was to go for two years to see a new part of the world and try something different. She was offered two jobs- a one room school (grades 1-8) in Lake Louise or a grade 5-6 position in a little place called Byemoor, Alberta. She opted for the job in Byemoor which turned out to be one of the best decisions she would ever make. Dolly was introduced to a young farmer, Andrew McCrindle early on in her first year of teaching in Byemoor, the romance blossomed and they were married in August of 1960. Three daughters came along in quick succession Helen Ann, Catherine Jean, and Diane Lynn. Dolly spent the next 13 years raising her girls and farming with Andrew. She returned to teaching in 1974 and continued to teach elementary classes at the Byemoor School until her retirement in 1986. In retirement, Dolly had time for her passions - her garden, reading, sewing and knitting and eventually, spending time with her grandchildren. Michelle was born in 1990 followed by Brian, Nicole, Laura and Isaac. Her five grandchildren were the joy of her life. Dolly enjoyed travelling and she and Andrew took several trips, returning to England to visit family, a trip to Alaska and the Yukon and to California to tour San Francisco which she had always wanted to see. She was an active community member. In the early years of her life in Byemoor, Dolly was a member of the Royal Purple. She later joined the Ladies Home Circle and helped with the Byemoor Cemetery Committee for many years. She loved participating in the annual fair and helping with the fall supper. She and Andrew continued to farm near Byemoor until they retired to Stettler in 2003 where she had a new garden to create and five grandchildren to entertain and visit with. In 2012, due to Dolly’s declining health, she and Andrew moved to Consort to live with Cathy and Murray. She made Consort Long Term Care her home when her Parkinson’s disease progressed. The staff and residents at Long Term Care became part of her family. The compassionate care the staff gave Dolly will always be appreciated by her family. Dolly is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Andrew; daughters Helen (Ian) Hoare, Cathy (Murray) Magnusson and Diane (Kevin) Stenhouse; grandchildren Michelle, Nicole, Brian, Laura and Isaac; brother-in-law Bill Lane; numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins in England. She was predeceased by her father John Denis Egan; mother Doris Egan; sister Jean Lane; sisters in-law Janet McDonald, Alice McCrindle and Phyllis McCrindle and brothers-in-law Bryce McCrindle and Bob McCrindle. A private family service will be held in Byemoor. Memorial donations may be made in Dolly’s name to the Consort Hospital Ladies Auxiliary or the Byemoor Ladies Home Circle Cemetery Club.