MOWAT, Christina Mary (nee: Murdoch)

January 31, 1907 - December 4, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear and beloved Mother and Grandmother, Christina Mowat, on December 4, 2012, at the age of 105 years. Our family was blessed with her love, keen intellect and sense of humor right until the end. Christina was born in Dalesville, Quebec and moved with her mother (Jessie), father (George) and brother (Stuart) to Bassano, Alberta when she was five, where her father worked as a carpenter. After finishing her public schooling there, she attended Normal School in Calgary and commenced her teaching career in rural Southern Alberta. She taught in many schools and had many wonderful and funny stories from this time. In 1942, while teaching in Bassano, she married teacher William Henry “Hank” Mowat. He enlisted in the Airforce and was stationed in Montreal where their first child, Linda, was born. Within the next 28 months, while moving around Canada with the Airforce, Tom, and then the twins, Stuart and Christie, arrived on the scene. In 1947, the family moved permanently to Edmonton. Christina selflessly devoted her life to caring for her family, which included nursing her aging mother for many years. After her husband died in 1979, Christina continued to live in the family home until she was 100 years old. This remained a happy gathering spot for family and friends. Christina comfortably spent the last five years of her life in the Saint Thomas Health Centre in the Assisted Living Wing. Christina made a lasting impression on all who met her, not just because of her age, but because of her independence, positive nature and wit. She leaves behind four children, Linda (Harry) Bridges, Tom (Norma Harper), Stuart ( Theresa), and Christie ( Brian) Murphy; five grandchildren (Leigh, Craig, Kevin, Colin and Jeffrey) and seven greatgrandchildren (Ryan, Hailey, Devyn, Sienna, Hollis, Cy and Austin). A Celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011 - 114 Street, Edmonton. Interment follow on Monday, December 10, 2:00 p.m. at the Nanton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The Family wishes to thank the staff at the St. Thomas and the Royal Alex Hospital for their kindness and care. For condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com