Obituary of Betty “Lou” McClenaghan

My favorite saying “it is what it is” now becomes “it was what it was” and it was a wonderfilled happy life. Shortly after receiving my diagnosis of Stage IV cancer I chose to write my own obituary. I made that choice as I want to share my final thoughts with my family and friends. I have enjoyed my life and have had many blessings. I am blessed with a wonderful sister, Mary Ann who has always been there for me. She is my best friend and has allowed me to share her family, my wonderful brother-in-law Mike Strachan and my nephew Jeremy Strachan, who is the son I never had. My cousin Marilyn Collard of Millington, Michigan has inspired me all of my life and played a huge role in my becoming the independent and strong woman I am today. My cousin John Watt who is the older brother I never had and he certainly made things interesting and fun. Each of them know how much I love them and how much I will miss them. I was blessed with devoted parents Thomas and Alice McClenaghan who have predeceased me. They taught me many lessons; the most important being the value of approaching every task, be it work or play with dedication and humor. My Aunt Vi Collard & Uncle Russ Collard have also predeceased me. Their house was the best summer vacation every year. No one had a better sense of humour than my Aunt Vi! I am blessed with not just good friends but great friends. I truly believe love for the family is a blood connection however love for ones friends is a connection of the soul. Thanks to Sylvia Robbins and Phyllis Jennings my best friends for over 30 years for making my journey through life so much fun and for always laughing at my jokes. To my special friends Linda O’Brien, Delores Irving, Pauline Bernardo, Nancy Kelso, Judy McLeish and Cynthia Blanchard. To the “traveling” gals, thanks for making our safari in Kenya and our adventure in Egypt dreams come true for me. The memories of those two vacations have literally lasted me a lifetime. To the many friends I’ve made through my careers with Morrison, Hanes & Buchner and with London Life/Great-West Life, through my serving on the Board of Directors of Anago (Non) Residential Resources Inc. and my membership with the Middlesex Agility Club, thanks to each and everyone of you for adding to the enjoyment and fullness of my life. To the friends I’ve made through Wellspring (a terrific organization) thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings. Thanks to the staff of the London Regional Cancer Clinic and the VON. I admire your ability to bring such compassion and caring to the work you do. To Rev. Ken Brooks who has agreed to conduct my service, your friendship and support for myself and my family is appreciated. I have chosen to be cremated and invite you to take a moment to visit and share your memories with my family during visitation at Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street (between Waterloo & Colborne St.), on Friday from 2:00 … 4:00 and 7:00 … 9:00 p.m. My funeral service will be conducted in the Logan Chapel on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the spring. Donations to Anago (Non) Residential Resources Inc., London Humane Society, London Regional Cancer Centre (London Health Sciences Foundation-Cancer Program) and Wellspring London and Region would be greatly appreciated by Betty Lou and family. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Saturday, February 23, 2008