STONE
Mary Ann Gauld Davidson
Mar. 22, 1918 - Jan. 19, 2015
Molly was born to Edith and William Gauld in a log farm house a mile north of the Joffre Bridge. She often recalled the days before the bridge was built twelve miles east of Red Deer, when she forded the river in a wagon driven by her mother, or on horseback with her older brother Vernon. Molly attended the local Brookfield school and for a number of years, boarded at St. Joseph Convent in Red Deer. She loved her time at school, but her favorite place was "the sheep camp", where she spent summers herding up to 800 sheep along the banks of the Red Deer River. Tragedy struck the family twice; first with the sudden death of her mother Edith in 1929, and again with the death of stepmother, Audrey, in 1940. Both times, Molly became responsible for the running of the household, helping with the livestock, cooking and looking after her younger siblings; first Jean, then later Ruby and Betty. After marrying Samuel Davidson in 1941, their lives centered on the one room school houses where he taught. They first lived in Eureka Valley, where they welcomed a daughter Charlotte, and a son, John. In 1950 they moved to Poplar Ridge before settling in Sylvan Lake in 1959, where life became easier with running water and town conveniences. Following Sam's death in 1977, Molly remained in Sylvan Lake, and continued to work at her first "paying job" in the Dry Goods Department of Cobb's General Store. In 1981, upon her marriage to John Stone, Molly began a new chapter in her life, with a move to Alix, Alberta. With John, she continued to pick berries, welcome family and friends as well as travel extensively, exploring the back roads wherever they went. With John's death in 1990, Molly moved again, this time to Red Deer, where she started yet another garden and continued her involvement with the Presbyterian Church. At this time, she wrote family history books by recording the relationships and stories of her extended family. Molly loved every community she lived in, and was an integral part of the social and volunteer network, with her quick wit and strong work ethic. She was active with 4H, W.I. and Ladies' Guilds, church boards, and regularly visited hospitals and seniors residences. Even in her last years in Calgary, where she moved to be closer to family, Molly appreciated and loved the wonders of nature, spending summers travelling extensively by motor home. Whether the tiniest insect, seed, leaf, flower, the feel of ocean sand on her bare feet or the heavens above, she treasured every moment. Molly loved to watch clouds, sunsets, northern lights, falling stars, eclipses, comets, and always looked for the moon. She took pleasure in knowing that friends and family around the world were sharing these wonders. On a starry night, please look for the constellation Ursa Major, find the North Star, listen for coyotes, and think of her. Molly is survived by Charlotte Murray, John and Mary Davidson, Michelle and Robert Hoogveld, Barbara and Tom Frank, Lisa and Troy Davidson-Leavitt, Lori and Dave LeGeyt and their families; Lorna and Corney Fleeman, Lois Hansen and their families; Betty and Doug Glover as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by Samuel Davidson; John Stone; Vernon and Amy Gauld; Ruby and Bill Purdie; Jean Gauld; Glen Murray and Bill Hansen. A celebration of her amazing life will be held at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5020 - 48 St, Sylvan Lake on Saturday May 23rd at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. … or just tell a quiet little joke, give someone a hug and remember to always smile.