LOUGHEED Marion Lougheed's (Babe Strachan) earthly journey was completed on June 7, 2005. She passed away in the Red Deer Nursing Home with her family at her side. Marion was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 16, 1909 to John and Mary Strachan. She was the youngest of three girls. Her sisters were Julia (Kelly) and Emily (Collins). She attended the little one-room school called Acadia (near Huxley) for grades one through eight. Grades nine and ten were taken in Huxley, a four and one-half mile horseback ride each way. Grades eleven, twelve, and her teaching training were taken in Calgary. Her first teaching position was at Milner School in the Knee Hill Valley District. Her starting salary was $850 per year if the local Board could raise the money. Marion loved to attend local dances and card parties. It was at one of these that she met Charlie Lougheed a local farmer. They were married in 1932. Marion had always loved animals so she was soon at home in her role as a farmer's wife. For twenty-nine years she raised chickens and turkeys, milked cows, and did chores to help sustain the family. Their only child Bert was born in 1936. In the spring of 1961 she and Charlie retired to Innisfail where Marion returned to teaching for the next ten years. She then retired for a second time but continued to substitute teach for several additional years. She loved to teach, and kept track of almost all of her grade three students until they graduated from Grade Twelve or from university. She was always energetic and did things with enthusiasm. Throughout her life she was an extremely generous person, always putting the interest of others ahead of herself. At age 96 she was still saying, "I wish I was young again and still over there teaching." Her enthusiasm for teaching extended to her son and all three of her granddaughters. For the past several years she took pride in following their careers in the classroom. Marion is survived by her son Bert and his wife Kathy; three granddaughters: Kathleen (Raynald) Mercier of Nanaimo, Trudy (Marc) Gressler of Drayton Valley, Patty (Terry) Freestone of Calgary; and five great grandchildren: Marc-Andre Mercier, Mario Mercier, Jacob Gressler, Rhiannon Gressler and Ian Gressler. She is also survived by two nieces Marion Dye and Marilyn Kerr; three nephews, John Kendrick, David Lougheed and Wayne Lougheed. She was predeceased by her husband Charlie in 1991. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marion's honor may be made to the Red Deer Nursing Home. A celebration of Marion's life will be held at Metcalf Funeral Chapel, 4200 49th Ave, Innisfail, on Friday, June 10, 2005 at 3:00 pm. Arrangements entrusted to Metcalf Funeral Chapel, 4200 49th Ave, Innisfail. Phone 227-3123.