Alice Ruth (Morton) McFarlane
December 18, 1935 – April 18, 2020
As published in the May 4, 2020 World-Spectator
Alice Ruth (Morton) McFarlane was born in North Chili, New York to Nelson and Helen Morton. She lived a full life reaching out for newer, richer, deeper, life-changing experiences. Her life was rich with personal growth, always pushing her boundaries mentally, spirituality, and intellectually for the betterment of herself, her family and the world. Alice and her life partner William “John” McFarlane (1934 to 2009) traveled across Canada raising their family, living, working and providing service to dozens of communities.
Much of Alice’s life focused on her family, her daughter Holly (Layne), and her sons Bruce (Susan) and Steve (predeceased by Marlene), her 10 grandchildren—Leon (Brianne), Joy (Sean), Darcy (Sonia), Kent (Roslyn), Robert, Hanah (Evan), Naomi (Alex), Connor, Gabriel, and Doran (Brae); and five great-grand children—Riley, Tabatha, Bella, Hunter and Quinn.
She also leaves behind three siblings: Ray Morton (Rosemary), Mary Lou Bates, Fred Morton (Virginia) and her sister-in-law Betty Peterson. She was predeceased by her brother Al Morton. She will also be remembered by John’s brother and sisters—Malcolm McFarlane (Valda), Donna Kvash (Victor), Joan Shykula (Steve), Willa Zufelt (Dick), Ellen Walsh (Gary), and Sharon Smith (Bill).
Alice and John devoted their lives to providing service to isolated northern communities. From Pikangikum to South Indian Lake to Rainy River/Stratton and all the other communities that John was the minister for, Alice was his partner making coffee for church and cakes for weddings, teaching Sunday School and singing classes, helping with church functions, and playing music. Wherever they moved to, her life was filled with gardening, cooking, reading, singing and traveling. One of their last work projects was with the All Native Circle conference and Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Resource Centre. Alice’s contribution was acknowledged at an honorary elder ceremony at the Dr. Jessie Centre. After retiring to Killarney they moved to Moosomin to be close to family.
Alice still had dozens of ongoing projects that indicate how full her life was. She was making plans to visit her eastern family this summer, was in the process of building photo albums of her children’s lives, busy visiting residents at the long-term care centre and many other passions that filled her always busy life. She demonstrated her love with food and shared that food generously with family and friends. She was very devoted to remembering birthdays and she will be missed again by all of us, especially on our next birthday when that card from Mom, Sister, Aunt, Grandma, and GG doesn’t arrive.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Bethel United Church or the Moosomin & District Healthcare Foundation—Palliative Care, in memory of Alice.
A memorial service and interment will be held at a later date.
Please sign the online book of condolences at www.carscaddenfuneralchapel.com
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