Merle MacDougall

Merle Hephzibah (Thomson) MacDougall passed peacefully at her home in Dipper Harbour, NB, on Sat., Oct. 3, after a period of declining health, a month shy of her 97th birthday. Born youngest to William and C. Maud (Thompson) Thomson on Nov. 2, 1929, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Born in the Depression, Merle learned the value of family and hard work. She began teaching at 17, first in Second Falls, Pennfield Ridge, and later in Saint John and Grand Bay. She married Murray Keirstead MacDougall in 1951, and with him raised 6 children, and for over 30 years ran a summer gift shop in Oak Bay, NB; returning to teaching to support the family while Murray completed his Masters’ Degree in Springfield, Mass.

Besides spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren, Merle loved poetry, singing hymns while doing chores, gardening, sailing ships, teddy bears, and of course, her eagles whom she watched for over 25 years.

She lived out her faith in Jesus Christ as her Saviour and served in various churches as secretary, Board Member, Sunday School teacher, and Pioneer Girls’ leader for many years, most recently at Fundy Seaside Baptist Church, Dipper Harbour.

Merle is survived by her sons: Duane (Kathy) of Pembroke, ON; Mark (Janice) of Grand Bay; and Gary MacDougall (Caroline) of St. Andrews; and daughters, Bonita (Bonni) Higgison of Vancouver, BC; Beth Vreugdenhil (Paul) of Kanata, ON; and the Rev. Dr. Margo MacDougall of Dipper Harbour; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, Merle was predeceased by her partner and husband of 32 years, Murray K. MacDougall, her grand-daughter, Colleen MacDougall; her brothers, Leigh (Bessie) and Stanley; sisters, Juanita Spragg (Walter), Alma Rideout (Melvin), Sylvia Jones (Clifford), and Norine Thomson.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (506-646-2424). Visitation will be held on Wed., Oct. 7th from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Fundy Funeral Home Chapel on Thurs., Oct. 8th at 2:00 p.m., followed by interment at the Thomson Burying Grounds, Dipper Harbour.

Donations in Merle’s memory can be made to the ShareWord (Gideons), Camp Tulakadik, or the Colleen MacDougall Graduate Student Travel Award (UPEI). To send a message of condolence please visit www.fundyfuneralhome.com