Mac McKee

November 5, 1936 ~ December 8, 2021

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Herbert Alden ‘Mac’ McKee, beloved husband of Bev, announce his peaceful passing at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at the age of 85 years. Along with Bev, his loving wife of 61 years, Mac leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Kelly (Murray) Schlenker; nieces, Nonie (Gary) Hepburn and Diane (Bruce) Young; nephew, Andy (Laura) McKee; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews as well as his many sister-in-Laws and brother-in-laws and their families: Brenda (Richard) Haener, Sheila Dunphy, Darryl (Judy) Dunphy, Wayne Dunphy, Larry (Grace) Dunphy and Marlene (Gerald) Dubois. He was predeceased by his son, Brian in 1992 and his older brother Pat McKee in December of 2006. Mac was born to Herbert and Mary McKee (nee Reeves) on November 5, 1936 in Drumheller, Alberta. His early years were spent on the farm in Craigmyle, Alberta and he was raised and educated in Trochu, Alberta. He later pursued his passion to educate others, receiving his teaching degree at the University of Calgary. A shortage of teachers in the 1960’s opened the door of opportunity for Mac to teach at McCoy in Medicine Hat. He was the first Protestant educator to teach at the Catholic High School. Over the years, he made every effort to have a positive impact on his students, whether teaching shop, math, french or computer programming. Mac was 24 years of age when he married Beverley Anne Dunphy at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Calgary on December 28, 1960. Over the years, his deep faith in God remained constant. He lived his life with integrity, truth and honour… always a man of his word. Mac was a long-time member of the Elks Club. This provided him with an opportunity to support the community while shooting some pool and having a few beers with lots of laughs. Mac had numerous hobbies and talents. He was an avid landscape artist, creating a beautiful, colourful and private garden in each yard he had as well as at his daughter’s first home. Mac’s huge garden ensured that the family had fresh veggies all winter long while raising his family. His ability to design and draft blueprints was a gift he had and he designed the Tudor style home that both his children were raised in. He was very proud of the home he designed with his family in mind. Mac enjoyed hunting and looked forward each year to making sausage at the Stroh’s. He loved golfing with the Medicine Hat Firemen and friends who went annually to Whitefish, Montana to golf for many happy adventures. He especially enjoyed golfing with his son Brian. Mac wanted his kids to experience travel and expand their horizons. After travelling to England, Ireland and France with Bev several times, he took the entire family on a trip to Europe. This was one summer after a beautiful trip to Montreal and Ontario with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Mac loved listening to Jazz music as well as making his own, playing alto and tenor saxophone for various local bands. His quick wit and great sense of humour often made him the life of the party. Mac was extremely hospitable, and some of the best parties were had at the McKee residence over the years where Mac could be found at the BBQ enjoying a Guinness (Vitamin “G”) or a good Rusty Nail! Though he was friends with many, family was always Mac’s priority. This included his grand-puppies, MeeMee and Connor, who he always had treats for in his pockets when he visited. Due to the current Covid restrictions, attendance at Mac’s service will be by invitation only. The funeral service for Mac will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 635 – 4 Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Oz Lorentzen officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Those wishing to join the family virtually and experience the celebration of Mac’s life are invited to watch via live-stream on the St. Barnabas facebook page or Youtube channel. Access to both are available on the St. Barnabas website, www.stbmh.ca   In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mac may do so through donations to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, 306, 10430 – 61 Avenue N.W., Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 2J3. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4.  Telephone:  403-527-6455 or toll free at 1-877-528-6455.

• Date : 2021-12-08
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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