MCMECHAN, Loyis VirginiaLoyis Virginia McMechan passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Hillcrest Extendicare at the age of 99 years. Loyis Virginia Peterson was born on March 1, 1917 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She lived the early years of her life in St. Paul before moving with her parents to Major, Saskatchewan. There she met and married Donald L. McMechan on June 30, 1938. She and Don called a number of small Saskatchewan towns home as their family grew, mostly in Major. Don served in WWII and was stationed in Calgary, Alberta where they moved after the war. Loyis lived in the family home, eventually moving to the Colonel Belcher Assisted living, where she met many new friends (and took their quarters playing crib). Loyis lived for her family. She loved nothing more than to be surrounded by children, grandchildren and all the great-grandchildren. She was lovingly known by the name GiGi to honour her position as a great-grandparent. Loyis spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona where she involved herself in several interests including lapidary, art classes and fitness classes. In Mesa, she made numerous lifelong friends. She was a member of the Calgary Lapidary Club for many years. Loyis was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and often enjoyed a Sunday evening dancing and dining. Her passion was hairdressing and she became a professional hairdresser and owned and ran her own salon, eventually setting up at home and doing hairdo's well into her 80's. Loyis loved to travel and took a number of cruises with friends and family. She toured and saw much of the US by car. To her children Loyis was a parent, a mentor and a friend, gently dispensing advice over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. To her friends she was loyal and true, someone they knew would be there for them. She was a huge presence in our lives and will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by us all. Loyis is survived by her sister Fern and sister-in-law Doreen. Loyis was blessed with five children: daughter Maureen McConnell (Kent), Larry McMechan (Candy), Carol Shaw, Colleen McMechan (Ian) and Lorraine Millis. She has fourteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Loyis was predeceased by her husband Don in 1983, and later, her sisters Joyce and Betty and her brothers Earl and Warren. A Memorial Reception will be held at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen's Park Cemetery) on Friday, December 2, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send any donations to a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.