Obituaries

Olive Ann MacPhail

Peacefully on Wednesday May 6, 2015 after suffering a sudden stroke, secure in the love of her family, Olive Ann MacPhail passed away at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, just a month before her 90th birthday.
Olive is survived by and will be forever remembered, loved and sorely missed by her children John and Joan, son-in-law and ?second son? Rob, adored grandsons Stephen and Richard, well-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cherished goddaughter Bonnie-Lynn Hart and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Mac (Donald), parents, parents-in-law Malcolm and Constance MacPhail, siblings Mary Genevieve, Herman and Harold, sister-in-law Connie Kobialko and many beloved relatives, friends and pets (including her precious last cat, Mickey).
The youngest child of Herman and Mary Louise Pitts, Olive was born in Winnipeg on June 10, 1925 and grew up in St. James. A devout Roman Catholic, Olive attended Parochial schools and felt blessed that despite her family?s limited means she had the opportunity to attend St. Mary?s Academy. An excellent student, Olive skipped two grades and graduated from the Academy in 1941 at only 16 years of age. In every respect her life exemplified the Academy?s motto ?Hold the Torch High.?
Olive completed stenographer training and worked in the private business sector until she obtained employment with CN Staff Records during World War II. It was there that she met and married her fellow CN employee, Mac, after his return from service with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Just days before her death she was looking at a photograph of Mac in his navigator?s uniform and remarked to Joan how much she loved and missed him and how terribly handsome he had been. Her family takes comfort in knowing that Olive and her beloved Mac are together once again.
After their marriage on December 29, 1949, Olive and Mac lived in Vancouver for a period of time. On their return to Winnipeg, Olive worked at CP Freight (which, unlike the CN, did ?allow? married women employees). She was employed there until her daughter Joan was born. Son John arrived two years later, completing what Olive described as the ?perfect family.?
It was as a young wife and mother that Olive developed the keen interest in social justice through political change that would dominate the rest of her working life and her early retirement years. Starting with the 1957 election campaign working for Gordon Churchill, she worked in over 12 federal, 10 provincial and numerous by-election campaigns, as well as a number of provincial and federal leadership campaigns. She was a much sought after and respected campaign and committee room organizer. Olive worked for the late Honourable Duff Roblin, P.C., C.C., O.M., and served as president and on the executive of various riding associations where she lived. A true ?Red Tory,? Olive was an ardent supporter of the Honourable Joe Clark, P.C., C.C., A.O.E., acting as his Manitoba Campaign Manager in the 1983 leadership campaign. Her involvement in provincial and national political affairs allowed her to meet and become fast friends with people across Canada.
Olive was the Office Manager at PC Headquarters on Kennedy Street for many years. A loyal, hardworking supporter of the late Honourable Sterling Lyon, P.C., O.C., O.M., Q.C., Olive was honoured to be his Executive Assistant during his years as Premier of Manitoba and as Leader of the Opposition. Olive later served as Special Assistant to former federal Regional Minister, the Honourable Jake Epp, P.C., O.C. During those busy, fulfilling years she made many enduring friendships and mentored innumerable young people who shared her keen interest in politics and her vision and desire for a better Manitoba and Canada. She was thrilled to be awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
Olive?s contributions to the community extended well beyond political activism. She served as president and on the executive of the Manitoba Kidney Foundation in the late 1980s and volunteered for innumerable charities and community organizations.
Despite her busy career and volunteer life, Olive was a loving caregiver for her mother, mother-in-law, sister and brother in their older years. She was also a wonderful, supportive mother and role model for her children.
The year following Mac?s untimely death on October 21, 1991, Olive retired to assume what she described as her ?most important job? – Grandma, a job she embraced with her customary fervour. Stephen and Richard were blessed with her devoted attention and ever-present unconditional love. They were perfect in every way and brought her incredible joy. She never missed a recital or major event in either child?s life until physical limitations and ill health prevented her attendance at some venues. To the end she was an active participant in family gatherings.
After a serious illness in the fall of 2009, Olive moved to the Metropolitan Kiwanis Courts and enjoyed 5 ? years in an assisted living apartment. Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Kiwanis, and Megan and the many other caring Home Care workers, for the assistance they provided to Olive in her later years. A debt of gratitude is also owed to the incredible staff of the Grace Hospital TCU where Olive recently spent several weeks and was so happy and well cared for. Sincere thanks also go out to the wonderful staff at Oakview Place where Olive lived for four brief days before her final illness and was welcomed so warmly. Finally, Olive?s family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the outstanding nurses at the HSC emergency ward (Leslie, Roxanne and Chrissie) and particularly to Jasmine at the GH6 ward who so tenderly cared for Olive the morning she passed away and was so supportive to her family. These individuals are truly angels on earth.
Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Thursday May 14, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John Brebeuf Roman Catholic Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place, with Rev. Fr. Mark Tarrant and Rev. Fr. Sam Argenziano co-officiating. They were both very dear to Olive?s heart.
In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, Olive would have appreciated donations to the CNIB (Manitoba), 1080 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg R3G 3M3, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg R3L 0K6 or the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter, 3062 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg R3K 0Y1 (all charities of special importance to her), or a commitment to a worthy cause or an act of generosity to someone in need.
Wojcik?s Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik?s online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

?God has her in His keeping, we have her in our hearts.?