
Edna Grace Lumgair (nee McLean)
1922 – 2021
On Sunday March 14, 2021 at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Edna Lumgair, age 98 of Morden, MB passed away.
Edna Grace was the firstborn daughter to Ernest and Ethel (Shaidle) McLean. Memories of growing up on the farm in Londesboro District, Pilot Mound, MB during the “dirty thirties” are recorded in her first book “My Story, 2009”. Edna’s second book published for her 90th birthday completed her life story and included articles by family members telling why she was such a special Mother and Grandmother.
The value of education was instilled in Edna and her younger sisters by their parents. Her life was a process of learning new skills and sharing them freely with family and community. Following completion of grades one to eight in Londesboro country school, she was determined to complete high school. During those hard times she worked for her room and board while attending Pilot Mound Collegiate. Upon graduation, she took a permit teaching job at Point Douglas School, Windygates, MB where the love and appreciation shown by those students convinced Edna that teaching was the career for her. Following a year at Winnipeg Normal School she accepted a position at Lorne School, Shadeland District.
It was a fateful occurrence that her boarding place was with Dave and Evelyn Lumgair. She soon met Dave’s brother, Douglas who swept her off her feet and they married 3 July 1945, beginning their new life on Glenogil Farm.
Edna and Doug were loving partners throughout their years on the farm, sharing the labours, child rearing, elder care, community commitments, and fun of singing and playing together at hundreds of events across Southern Manitoba. When Doug suffered a debilitating heart attack at age 55, they moved to Morden and she devoted the next eight years to his care. Confined to their home most of the time, Edna used her creative talents designing her new gardens and in winters making hundreds of quilts and knitted articles for Unitarian Service and Morden Christmas Cheer.
Friends and family treasure her handcrafted gifts. Her artistic abilities were expressed in so many ways, but her musical talent was exceptional. With only one year of piano lessons, she went on to play for church and weddings, soloists and choirs, school and Scottish concerts, dances and singsongs, Tabor Home residents on Sundays for 25 years, and her final gig with “The Guys and Gals” seniors band.
Edna received special recognition for her leadership in United Church Women, 4-H, and Morden Horticultural Society. She volunteered with the Thrift Shop, Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visitors and wrote Shadeland news for The Times. She loved having folks tour her flower gardens.
Edna was the family and local historian. She wrote the history of Lorne School and recorded stories of the McLean and Lumgair elders for posterity. Trips to Scotland and Ireland, birthplaces of their ancestors were a highlight of her life.
Edna taught her children and scores of others by encouraging them to always do their best. She never missed a 4-H achievement, dance or piano recital, operetta or festival performance, or graduation. In her final days in hospital, she was thrilled when her four little great grandsons Face Timed to show her their school projects and musical accomplishments.
Edna met the challenges of aging with her usual youthful attitude. Hearing loss left her unable to enjoy the music she loved so much. She continued quilting, sewing, knitting, reading and crosswords until macular degeneration precluded these activities. Then radio, television and visitors kept her informed of local and world news.
A quote from Sharlene’s tribute to Grandma is a fitting conclusion to Edna’s life story. “Grace bestows on all those who carry love in their hearts. No wonder your middle name is Grace.”
She will be missed by her family, Daughter, Carol and Leon Clegg, Lac du Bonnet, MB and their family, Ian Clegg and Joanne Sam and sons, Liam and Finlay, Winnipeg, MB and David Clegg and Kimberley Karpenko, Calgary, AB, Son, Barry and Darlene Lumgair, Victoria, BC and their family, Jeremy Lumgair and Sharlene Starr, Brendon and Christine Lumgair and sons, Julian and Octavian, Calgary, AB, Sisters, Marie Nelson, Pilot Mound, MB, Alice McKennitt, Carnduff, SK and their families.
Edna’s family wishes to express their gratitude, to her relatives, friends, church community, service providers and especially her guardian angels, Cindy, Murray and Karen, Susan, Anne Marie, Margie and Eva who made it possible for her to live in her own home until age 98. And to the caring staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre who attended to her physical and spiritual needs when her family could no longer do so. And to her support network for cards, calls, prayers, messages and FaceTimes easing her final journey.
Ash interment beside Doug in Hillside Cemetery, Morden, MB. Covid 19 restrictions prevent family from coming home at this time. We hope to gather when the flowers are in bloom to honour her memory.
Donations may be made in Edna’s memory to the Morden Area Foundation #13 – 379 Stephen Street, Morden, MB R6M 0G8.
Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden
In care of arrangements