Mary Anne (Erskine) Misner
March 20, 1931 – April 3, 2023
The family of Mary Anne Misner are saddened to announce her passing. Mary Anne is survived by her two sons, James Bruce and Donald Andrew (Joanne), grandson Andrew Jordan (Kyla) and daughter Elizabeth Anne.
Mary Anne was born to Andrew Harvey Erskine and Alexandra MacGregor Easson in Blyth, Ontario on March 20, 1931. She was raised with her two brothers, John MacGregor, and Harvey Bruce in Goderich. She was a good student and on graduating from high school, followed her mother to Stratford Normal School. Upon graduating she taught at the J.A.D. McCurdy School on Centralia Air Force Base. It was there she met and married James Donald Misner.
When Jim completed his service, the family moved to Toronto where he attended Chiropractic College. Mary Anne was kept busy with their boys, James Bruce and Donald Andrew. Upon completion of his studies, the family moved to Dryden and Jim set up practice there. Soon thereafter they welcomed daughter Elizabeth Anne.
Mary Anne added to her family duties by becoming involved in school activities at Albert St. School. Her interest led to her running for the local school board – a 17-year involvement. Her efforts were recognized by an Honorary Degree from Lakehead University and an Honorary Life Membership from the Ontario Public School Board’s Association.
She worked alongside the Honourable Leo Bernier, a former provincial politician in his Dryden office during his tenure. The Association of Community Living used her experience in policy making as did many other local organizations. Her interest now shifted to genealogy and its local group, and her files grew accordingly. Mary Anne led and worked with a large number of local writers to produce the school histories for our area. She was very active in the Dryden United Church and its women’s organization.
In later years she and Jim were able to indulge their love of travel, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, and other locales but culminating in a long-desired visit to Scotland – a dream come true!
Jim went ahead in 2017 but the memories are special, as I hope yours are for me.
A Memorial Service will take place on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the First United Church with Alice Bloomfield officiating.
Interment to follow in the Dryden Cemetery.
Donations may be mad to the First United Church, 23 Van Horne Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2A6 or Community Living – Dryden, 280 Arthur St., Dryden, ON P8N 1K9.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, Ontario P8N 2X3.
