Lois McEwan 1914 -2014

After a very long and a very happy life, Lois McEwan died at her home on St. George in St. Marys on April 16, 2014. Born on the 29th of March, 1914 Lois was the daughter of Robert Hearn and Mae Rolston whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Perth County. Lois’ philosophical acceptance of life’s recurring rhythm of happiness and sadness may be rooted in events which she experienced as a teenager. In the summer of 1932 a chance encounter with Gordon McEwan as they exited a ball game at SS # 4 Downie led to an impulsive request for a date for an open air dance that evening. Lois fell in love with Gordon and that love led to a happiness that remained strong until their deaths. The tragic event which precipitated great sadness occurred several months later. Following a cold and wet ride home in an open democrat from a Farm Women’s meeting Lois’ mother Mae Hearn contracted a severe cold which turned into pneumonia. In the era before penicillin there was little that could be done and when Mae died shortly afterwards she left a family of seven children, two of whom were under the age of four. Lois took over as “mother” and remained in that role until her marriage to Gordon in December 1937. Lois leaves her four children and their spouses: Lou and John Cull, Loiey and (the late) Ken Moir, Bob and (the late Jean) McEwan, and Terry and Linda McEwan. She is also survived by her much loved nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Lois’ brother Vic (Marie) Hearn, her sister Roberta (the late Nelson)  and her step-brother Doug (Sharon) Hearn also survive. In addition to her parents and her step-mother Jean, Lois was predeceased by her brothers Lyle, Kelly, Ivan, Don and her step-brother Jack. Her sister-in-law Kit Hearn survives. Lois McEwan’s overarching quality was her intense love and loyalty to her family – both immediate and extended. Her open-mindedness and her ability to reach out and connect with all types of people were legendary. As a lifelong homemaker, the wife of a rural school teacher, the mother of four children, and a daughter of the Great Depression Lois became an excellent seamstress, a prolific knitter, and she knew how to make the Sunday roast last until Thursday. She loved sports, music and dancing and she was always ready for a “good laugh”. Lois Isabel (Hearn) McEwan – 29 March 1914 to April 16, 2014 – lived a long, generous and contented life. She was able to rise above the hard parts and see the enduring good in the world. She will be missed by her family and friends. 

The Rattle In The Fireplace

A couple of weeks ago Lois began to hear a disconcerting rattle in her fireplace. It sounded as if a piece of metal had become dislodged and was vibrating against another piece of metal. At first it occurred mostly in the morning but then it began to occur at other times in the day. The first theory was that a bird had somehow fallen down the chimney and was caught behind the fireplace. That theory was discounted when the weather turned cold, and the fireplace came on. If it was a bird, the poor thing would not have survived the heat from the fireplace. When Bob was home he hypothesized that possibly the flashing on the chimney was vibrating. But after a careful inspection, Bob announced that there was no sign of loose flashings. The noise persisted, increased in frequency, and was heard by several visitors. Finally, the plumbers were called in. The first plumber was confident that he knew the source of the problem. "I'm sure it's the fan, Lois." Two hours later, after taking the fireplace apart, after checking the water pipes, and the furnace itself, the young plumber left saying that he would have to pass the problem on to his boss. The next day the boss plumber came, inspected the fireplace and asked for a ladder to climb on to the roof. He took a screw driver with him. He tapped rhythmically on the chimney. "Was that the sound, Lois?" When the answer was affirmative, he came down from the roof saying that he had a theory but first, he would have to make a couple of phone calls. His source confirmed that his theory was correct. Here is a picture of the tiny culprit. Of course, it is a territorial thing, and now that we know the source of the noise, we can listen to the rhythmic tattoo with some equanimity and amusement. The sound reverberates not only in Lois' house but across a good portion of the valley surrounding Trout Creek. I am sure that in woodpecker land, there is no question that a claim has been staked for control of the territory around the swinging bridge in the Trout Creek hollow.