Obituary of Mildred C. Allan

ALLAN: Mildred Caroline Allan passed away very suddenly on October 18, 2011 in her home in Brandon, Manitoba. While her departure was mercifully quick, she left family, friends and a community deeply mourning her absence. Born Mildred Caroline Howson on July 30, 1934, to Robert (Bob) and Mable Howson of McCreary, Manitoba, her early years were spent on the family farm and she attended Rosamond school in the local community. She had many fond memories of growing up in the McCreary area. After Grade 11, she earned a teaching permit, and for a period of two years taught school at Shergrove, Manitoba. On February 14, 1952, Mildred married Dean Allan, a newly appointed Warden in Riding Mountain National Park who had been raised in the park. With that marriage commenced a life in which they initially spent four years at separate warden stations on the east and north side of Riding Mountain, followed in 1957 by a transfer to Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan. After two postings within that park, Mildred and Dean moved back to Riding Mountain for a brief 18-month period before moving to Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia in 1972. In 1978, they returned to Prince Albert for a seven year term, and then after a short period at Riding Mountain in 1985, they retired to the Village of McCreary. In the 34 years of traveling with Dean's National Park career, a common thread of Mildred's character emerged, which was to get very actively involved in every community that touched her or her family's life. In the early years in Saskatchewan she helped construct community curling and hockey rinks. She next devoted her efforts to establishing striving 4-H clubs - all the while being active in a local woman's organization, either the Woman's Institute or United Church Women. In each community, Mildred and Dean were active members of the United Church of Canada and worked with the church to help those less fortunate. Through their community involvement, Mildred and Dean developed many deep and lasting friendships in regions across Canada. On her return to the Village of McCreary in 1985 to "retire", Mildred's community service work began in earnest. One of her most notable accomplishments was the establishment of the McCreary Heritage Advisory Committee which, among other things, led to the McCreary history book "Milestones and Memories", restoration of Sattwaite Log Cabin, restoration of an old school and CNR station to become museums, and the construction of numerous cairns dedicated to the history of the McCreary area. Mildred initiated and organized the McCreary and District Economic and Development Board, which had numerous accomplishments including the creation and funding of the Community Access Program, the Youth Job Centre and McCreary Tourism. During this time, Mildred served on the McCreary Health Auxiliary which involved People Helping People, McCreary's Congregated Meal Program, and Support Services to Seniors. Mildred was a President of the United Church Women for a number of years, and was involved with the McCreary Agricultural Society where she served as editor and publisher of the Society's Fair Book. She was also a founding board member of the Turtle River Festival of the Arts, and was McCreary's news correspondent for the Neepawa Press for 15 years. For Mildred's years of community service, she received numerous acknowledgements, the more notable of which were the Parkland Community Futures Development Corporation's Volunteer Award "In recognition and appreciation for the time, talent and resources shared to make your community a better place to live", the Premier's Volunteer Service Award for recognition of "a Volunteer of Outstanding Merit in the Province of Manitoba" and the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation "to those persons, who, like you, have made a significant contribution to Canada, to their community, or to their fellow Canadians". On October 21, 2006, Mildred and Dean were particularly honored to have been recognized by the Village of McCreary for "Outstanding Dedication to Our Community", not only for Mildred's service work but also for Dean's ten years as Mayor. Due to Dean's deteriorating health, Mildred and Dean moved to Brandon in 2005 to be closer to health care support. After Dean's death in November 2007, Mildred resumed her involvement in community service working through Trinity United Church, and on her death was busily working on a history project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of United Church Women. Mildred is survived by sons Grant (Joanne) and Barry (Jill), grandsons Shayne (Tina), Devin, and Brett, great grandson Isaac, and brother Bill (Bette) Howson. Funeral services were held at Trinity United Church, Brandon, and Mildred's brother Bill provided a touching eulogy of her life. A private service was held at McCreary Cemetery, and her ashes were interred next to husband Dean. Both now rest along side the Riding Mountains where they met, loved and lived. Memorial donations to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, Parkinson Society Canada, or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. "A Life Well Lived"