Marion Lucille (McLachlan) Olson

We are heartsick to give notice of the passing of Marion Lucille (McLachlan) Olson.

Born on December 10, 1925 in Red Deer to Isabella (Bella) Flossie Douglas MacDonald McLachlan and John (Jack) William McLachlan. Lucille lived most of her life in Southern Alberta.

She married Horace Andrew (Bud) Olson on January 26, 1947 in Iddesleigh, Alberta. They had four children: Sharon Lee (Roy), Andrea Lucille (George), Juanita Carol (Frank), and Bud Jr. (Anna-Jean). They welcomed ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Lucille was predeceased by her husband of 55 years in 2002, her granddaughter Suzanne in 2015, her son, Bud, in 2020, and her grandson, Andrew, in 2023.

Over the years, we were regaled by countless stories of her time spent as the school teacher on the V-V ranch north of Jenner; and as a helpmate in running the General Store and driving the bulk fuel truck-usually with several young children along for the ride. She was happiest as Bud's partner on the farm in Iddesleigh, tending and record-keeping for a herd of mixed breed and registered Hays Converter cattle, branded with the -Z- or -ML. In 1957, Bud Sr. first entered political service as the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, Alberta and maintained many political elections and appointments through to the year of 2000. Bud and Lucille completed their political career as His Honour The Lieutenant Governor and Her Honour of Alberta. Lucille was the quintessential politician's spouse given her grace, selflessness and unflagging support. She moved the family to Ottawa...twice.

Lucille had some pretty strong opinions on how things should be approached and accomplished. Her avowed goal was to raise four "contributing members of society". She added considerable value to her community(ies) as an enthusiastic volunteer through her work with her church, the Iddesleigh Ladies Aid, Girl Guides of Canada as well as numerous board and council appointments. She was particularly proud of her several "100+ Hours" volunteer pins earned at The Good Samaritan Society.

We will cherish the good fortune of having her as our mother/grandmother and will attempt always to emulate her commitment to family, goodness and right.

She has asked to be remembered thusly:

When I am dead,
Cry for me a little.
Think of me sometimes,
But not too much.
It is not good for you,
Or your wife or your husband
Or your children
To allow your thought to dwell
Too long on the dead.
Think of me now and again
As I was in life
At some moment-in which it is pleasant to recall,
But not for long.
Leave me in peace,
As I shall leave you, too, in peace:
While you live,
Let your thoughts be with the living.
Theodora Kroeber

Now… isn’t that just like her?