Arlene McGinn
February 20, 2024
February 20, 2024
February 20, 2024
Dr Arlene Fay McGinn
May 12, 1932 – February 20, 2024
Dr Arlene Fay McGinn (née Raycroft) of White Rock, BC died peacefully on February 20, 2024, at the age of 91.
Arlene was born and raised in the beautiful city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her late parents, Margaret (née Williams) and Douglas Raycroft were from Saskatoon, along with her brother Jack Raycroft (Phyllis) Edmonton, AB, and sister Joan Maclachlan (preceded in death by Audie) Victoria, BC.
Arlene’s school years at City Park Collegiate and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) provided her with a strong education and sport background. She played basketball and volleyball at U of S and fastball in the community. Her awards for sports at the U of S included the Major Athletic Award, Sport Wall of Fame, and Spirit of Youth Award. In 2019, the U of S celebrated the 100 years of U of S Women’s Basketball by selecting the top 100 players, and from that group they selected a team of six student athletes including Arlene, as the Basketball Huskies of the Century. After the University season, Arlene played with the city basketball team, The Saskatoon Aces. The Aces won the Canadian Women’s Basketball Championship and were installed in the Saskatchewan Sport Hall of Fame.
Arlene moved to Moose Jaw after marrying PJ (Joe) McGinn, where teaching and coaching were a big part of her life. Moose Jaw is where her four children were born. Arlene is preceded in death by her youngest daughter Meg McGinn May. She is survived by Fred McGinn (Linda; granddaughters Megan (Josh) and Melissa (James) and great-granddaughters Poppy and Scottie) West Vancouver, BC; Doug McGinn, White Rock, BC; Marcelyn McGinn Reynolds (Paul; grandchildren Josh and Jorja) London, England; and grandsons Mitchell May, Joey May and Eddie May, Calgary, AB.
In 1967, Arlene and family moved to Calgary, AB. Calgary was a high energy city and there were challenges available for Arlene to not only teach but coach girls’ basketball, which she did for more than 20 years. Also close to her heart was the need to create opportunities for women in sport administration roles. As Arlene also ran summer schools each year, the family years were always very busy, but with the help of the family by 1977 Arlene had completed a Doctorate in Physical Education Curriculum at the University of Georgia, in Athens, Georgia USA.
Arlene’s Calgary experience provided her with opportunities to meet her goals of inclusion of women in sport and education administration: VP Sport for Western Canada Summer Games, Past President Lindsay Park Sports Centre, Past President Parks Foundation Calgary, YWCA Women of Distinction, Past President Alberta Schools Athletic Association, Director CODA 1988 Winter Olympics, and Principal, St Mary’s High School. She knew there was still much to be done.
Following the Winter Olympics, Arlene retired to White Rock, BC to continue participating in sport - Lawn Bowling - and working as a sport consultant.
Arlene’s wish, in lieu of flowers, is to find a Public School near you and support a program or student in need. No service by request.
There was a language in the world that she understood. “… It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired.” Paulo Coelho
You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.
Condolences on the passing of Aunt Arlene from the Pitt Meadow Currie’s.
Aunt Arlene was welcoming to us and I recall specifically the trip to Georgia to spend time with the Mcginn family at a very young age and remember it with fondness.
Again condolences from my family to yours.
Tim / Laurine / Campbell and Sally
~ Tim Currie
I remember travelling with our family a few times a year to Calgary to visit with the McGinn’s.
Aunt Arlene was a person of purpose and strength.
Fred, Doug and Marcelyn my condolences of the loss of your mother.
God Bless
~ Beverley Krett (Currie)
I started teaching at St. Mary's High School in 1976 when Arlene was a vice principal. That she had an enormous influence on me is a true understatement. She was a penultimate professional; a woman of virtue and integrity and emotional maturity. She was able to both demand the best out of you while letting you know she supported and appreciated your efforts. Later, while principal at St. Mary's, she offered me a position as a guidance counsellor and changed the trajectory of my career. I owe her a great debt for that, and for modelling what a educator should be, and what an educator should do. She believed that children/students need second, and third, and fourth, chances, and she certainly walked the talk.
Her accomplishments were legendary and multiple, yet these pale in comparison to her humanity. The news of her passing saddens me greatly. and with a heavy heart I give my condolences to Fred (with whom I travelled to Europe on a school/teacher's sponsored trip to Europe, I believe) and his siblings. I will miss her very much.