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May 17, 2020
May Scott (née Johnston) passed away in White Rock, BC on May 17, 2020 at the age of 97.
May was born in Ladysmith, BC in April 1923, just a few months after her parents, maternal grandparents, and uncles immigrated to Canada from Scotland. She grew up in Ladysmith with younger brothers Ray and Alan, where she excelled at school. At the age of 19, she earned her teaching diploma at Victoria Normal School, and later taught at schools in Lake Cowichan, Burnaby, and Kitimat. May attended the University of British Columbia from 1945 to 1955 where she earned bachelor's degrees in English and Education. She was active in the UBC Varsity Outdoor Club where she pursued her life-long enjoyment of outdoor exercise and where she made long-lasting friendships.
May met her husband-to-be J.D. (Don) Scott in Kitimat and, after marrying in Vancouver in 1956, they set out for graduate school at the University of Illinois. May graduated with a Master of Arts then accompanied Don to Kitchener, Ontario where daughter Katherine Margaret Ivy and son Mark Gordon were born.
The family moved to Ottawa and then to Edmonton in 1978 where May returned to teaching. After retiring in 1988, May enjoyed educational and walking tours in Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia. She continued a daily routine of brisk walks for the rest of her life, accompanied for many years by a series of beloved German Shepherds.
Later in retirement, May chose to return to the milder climate of BC. She settled first in Victoria where she enjoyed daily walks along Dallas Road and socializing with old and new friends. She then moved back to Ladysmith, reacquainting herself with her hometown and spending time with her brother Ray. As dementia began to intrude on May's lifelong independence, she relocated finally to the Vancouver area to be closer to her daughter. May retained a strong and resilient spirit throughout her experience with dementia. She handled challenges with grace and with a steady focus on the positive things in life. Her happy disposition will be missed, especially by her surviving family including brother Ray, daughter Ivy, son Mark, and grandchildren Jacob and Jenna.


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