Lois Madeline McKay

With deep love and gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Lois Madeline Mckay (nee Lambert) announce her passing on January 26, 2026 Lois was born Feb. 4, 1926 to James and Adelaide (Maud) Lambert, the youngest of six children. Her parents were part of the original group of Swan River Valley settlers who came to Tent Town in 1898. Lois was the last living child of these early pioneers.
Lois attended school in the Swan River Valley and distinguished herself early on, receiving the Governor General's Award for highest academic standing in both grade 11 and 12. She was also awarded the prestigious Isbister Scholarship to attend the University of Manitoba, but chose instead to study at the Angus School of Commerce in Winnipeg.
With the end of World War II, Lois took her first job at the Crescent Creamery. She had long known of Don McKay through the family business P. McKay & Sons. After Don invited her to his hockey game, it marked the beginning of a long and loving relationship. They married November 15, 1949 and shared 57 wonderful years together, raising four children.
Lois had a lifelong passion for travel. In her younger years, she and her sister Eileen journeyed across Canada by CN and CP Rail, staying in some of the country's iconic railway hotels. Later, she and Don continued to travel together, often with friends, visiting many beautiful places and creating lasting memories.
A devoted bridge player, Lois rarely passed up the chance for a game, whether it was duplicate or contract bridge. For her, it wasn't just about the cards, it was the lifelong friendships made around the table. While bridge was her first passion, her love of the Toronto Blue Jays came a close second, and she took great joy following the team and sharing that enthusiasm with her family.
Lois was deeply proud of her family and was blessed with four children, Bob (Sue), Beth (Bill) Gibson, Kathy (Peter), Jack (Twyla).
Lois was also the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren, Gordon (Mary) McKay;
Alison (Justin) Archer; Katie (Shawn) Gibson; Brock (Tara) Gibson; Kristine McKay;
Robert McKay; Brett McKay; Saegan (Jyles) Mateika; Justin (Kelsie) McKay and eleven great - grandchildren, Declan and Lucas McKay; Ayla, Evan and Sienna Archer; Alexi, Sloan and Mack Gibson; Nash and Paisley Mateika; Cruz McKay - all of whom gave her great joy in her final years and will miss her dearly.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Don on February 3, 2006.
The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the dedicated staff at the Benito Health Care Centre who supported Lois and family with exceptional care and kindness during her stay there.
A celebration of Mom's 100 years of life well lived was held during the July long weekend in 2025, a most memorable occasion for Mom and her entire family.
If friends so desire, memorial donations in Lois's memory may be made to the Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV), Box 1509, Swan River, MB ROL IZO

The family will honour her memory privately.