Obituary of Marian McPhail

McPhail, Marian Gertrude (Avis) It is with great sadness that our family announces that Marian passed away at home on March 3, 2014 in her 90th year. Marian was born on Winona Drive, York Township, Ontario, October 2, 1924, the youngest of the four children of Ellen Reilly and Spencer John Avis. She is predeceased by siblings Charles Reilly Avis, Dr. Walter Spencer Avis (Faith Avis) and Kathleen (Kay) Ellen Corkum. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Allan G. McPhail; their children, Margaret McPhail (Terrence Burrell), Barbara McPhail (Richard Unterman), Allan G. McPhail (Brenda McPhail); granddaughters, Caitlin and Lesley Burrell, Rachel and Sarah Unterman, and Holly Davidson; brothers-in-law Lee Corkum and Donald McPhail and sister-in-law Norma McPhail. Marian will also be greatly missed by her many nephews and nieces, dear neighbors and close friends. By all accounts Marian had a wonderful and happy childhood. She attended Rawlinson Public School and Vaughan Road Collegiate before graduating from Northern Secondary School. Following high school, she completed her hairdressing course at Marvel School of Hairdressing and received her certification in May 1943. On February 8, 1947, at Hillcrest Church of Christ, Toronto, she married Allan. They lived in Toronto and MacTier for the first few years, before settling in Cannington, Ontario in 1953, where they resided for over 60 years. Their large old home has been the centre for many happy gatherings, parties, and celebrations for family and friends. Marian was a successful businessperson in Cannington, operating Marian's Beauty Salon from the mid 1950s to the early 1990s. She strongly believed in supporting her community and over the years was actively involved and held executive positions in the Cannington Figure Skating Club, Curling Club, and Home and School Association. Marian also volunteered for Brock Good Neighbours, Meals on Wheels and Bon Air Nursing Home. More recently, she directed her considerable energy towards the Cannington Historical Society, which included organizing the quilt sale at the Cannington Quilt and Craft for over 20 years and supporting the local historical site and archives. She enthusiastically played bridge until this past summer and was an avid skier and golfer for many years. Marian was a strong advocate for the equality for women, a great role model, and actively practiced kindness, fairness and equal treatment for all. The family wishes to thank Marian's many friends and relatives, as well as the team of community health and palliative care professionals for all their care and support during her illness and at her death. Friends are invited to call at the Thorne Funeral Home, 109 Laidlaw St. S. in Cannington on Friday, March 14th, from 3:30 to 7:30 pm. A memorial service will be held in the Thorne Funeral Home on Saturday, March 15th, 2014 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cannington Historical Society.