Served in Canadian Women Army Corps
If you had the good fortune to know Elaine McKay you would surely consider yourself among the lucky. She died peacefully on July 27, 2015 at Heritage House in Stettler, Ab. Elaine Leona Gladys McKay (Hall) was 92 years young.
She leaves behind her daughters; Barbara-Ann Clement of Stettler, Darlene Bedel of Hayward, CA and her son D’Arcy (Lisa Stringfellow) McKay of Portland, OR.
She also leaves behind eight grandchildren; Camille Clement, Sheila (Chuck) Scheerschmidt, Tanya Clement, Ryan Bedel, Derrick Bedel, Margaret Duncan McKay and Ian McKay; and her precious great grandchildren Trevor Dahl, Levi Owchar, Ally Scheerschmidt and Kenzie Scheerschmidt.
She is also survived by her only cousin, Jean Prunkl; numerous nieces, nephews and many other dear friends.
Elaine is predeceased by her mom and dad, Tracy and Susan (Wilson) Hall; beloved sisters, Beth LaRose, Bernice Elliot; younger brother, William Hall; Bernard Kelly; husband, Keith McKay; and son-in-law, Garry Clement.
Born in Calgary, Ab. on January 18, 1923, Elaine grew up in and around the Skybo School District. Her family moved to the Peninsula on Buffalo Lake in the late ’20s and eventually ended up at the Heater Place in early 1940s. Her family were farmers but Elaine didn’t want to settle down; her romance and imagination had a different target. She joined the Canadian Women Army Corps – CWAC 1942. She served until May 1946 primarily in Ottawa, ON.
Upon discharge from the army, Elaine married Bernard Kelly on December 25, 1946 and to this union a daughter Barbara-Ann was born. Later she met and married Keith Winston McKay on August 19, 1950 and to this union her children, Darlene and D’Arcy were born, and together the family resided in Calgary, Ab. In 1959 Keith was transferred to Seattle, WA, where the family resided for five years. Another job opportunity took the family to Hayward, CA in 1964, where they lived for the next 45 years.
Her heart was always in Canada and she returned often for weddings, reunions, new babies and for friends that had passed on. She retired from Kaiser Hospital in Hayward after a long celebrated career of 20 years. Elaine moved back to her home land of Stettler in 2008. She lived in Paragon, Points West and Heritage House. Elaine’s presence will be missed; her always cheerful light will be remembered forever by all the lucky ones who knew her.
A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at the Brennen Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lyn Lamers of Stettler United Church, officiating. Elaine was laid to rest with her husband, Keith McKay in the family plot in the Donalda Cemetery, Donalda, Ab. The family has requested memorial donations may be made to the Donalda Cemetery, S.T.A.R.S. or a charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.brennenfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Stettler. Box 193, Stettler, Ab., T0C 2L0. 403-742-3315.