1914 ~ 2007

DR. JOHN EDWARD McTAVISH of Lethbridge passed away peacefully on Monday, July 2, 2007 at the age of 92 years. He is survived by his loving wife Mary of 63 years; daughter Marilyn (Larry) Allan; three grandchildren Stacie (Troy) Allan of Edmonton, Terry (Lauren) Allan and Christie (Jared) Allan of Regina. Ed is also survived by a nephew Bob (Airi) McTavish of Brooks; a niece Aileen (Ken) Markwart of Winnipeg; brother-in-law Hugh Murray of Vancouver; sisters-in-law Eleanor Higham of Winnipeg and Alison (Gene) Rousett of Montreal. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Lucy, brother Geoff, sister-in-law Grace, nephew Donald, brother-in-law William Higham and sister-in-law Rhea Murray.

Ed was born in Newdale, Manitoba on November 4, 1914 on the family homestead. Ed attended Brandon College, where he met Mary in the fall of 1934. He graduated in the class of 1937. Ed and Mary were married in 1943 while Ed was in Medical School, graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1945. Following discharge from the Army Medical Corp he practiced medicine in Bonnyville, Alberta and moved back to Winnipeg in 1949 to complete further medical studies and continue his practice. In 1951 he and his family moved to Lethbridge where he practiced family medicine until he retired in 1985.

During his years in medicine he was very active in the Alberta Medical Association, especially in the section of Family Practice. He was a medical coroner for Lethbridge for many years. He had a special interest in the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool and was a member of the Alberta Academy and American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. His other interests included the Lethbridge Symphony and singing in Lethbridge Symphony Chorus during their early years, active in Southminister United Church, especially the Music and Worship Committee, and the Lethbridge East Rotary Club. He was a past president of the Rotary Club and had a special interest in the organization's activities with young people. He and Mary chaperoned two groups of high school students to eastern Canada.

On behalf of Dr. McTavish his family extends a warm thank-you to the caregivers at Edith Cavell Care Centre, Maple Court for their care, compassion and understanding.

A Memorial Service for Ed will be held at 1:00PM at on Monday, July 9, 2007 at the SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 1011 - 4 Ave South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Frank Lewis officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, a memorial donation may be made to the Alzheimer Society Lethbridge Chapter, 162, 200 - 4 Ave South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4C9 or to a charity of one's choice.