Obituary of Doug Todd

OBITUARY OF DOUGLAS BARRINGTON TODD It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas Barrington Todd, on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at the age of 77 years. Douglas is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years, Marilyn Todd, and his children, Kent Todd (Astrid) of Hannover, Germany, Carrie Todd Mymko (Jarret) of Sherwood Park, AB, and Marla Todd (Shawn) of Maple Ridge, BC. Also left to mourn Douglas’ passing are his six grandchildren: Holden, Helena and Charlotte Mymko, Aidan and Finnie Todd, and Kellan McInnis. Doug was born in Saskatoon, SK on April 7, 1943, to parents Mark and Olive Todd. He was a younger brother for Marilyn, and the family added another son, Rodney, six years later. Doug’s youth was marked by frequent family moves, as the family lived in Watson, SK, Rosthern, SK, Edmonton and Fairview, AB and ultimately settled on a farm outside of Vegreville, AB in 1961. Doug married Marilyn Tierney, in 1967, the same year that he started law school in Edmonton at the University of Alberta. Doug and Marilyn welcomed their first child, Kent, in 1970, and moved to Hanna, AB in 1971, where Doug started his law practice. Doug and Marilyn added two daughters to their family, Carrie, in 1973, and Marla in 1976. Doug lead a very active and busy lifestyle in the Hanna community with golfing, curling, Kinsmen, gardening, coaching Kent’s hockey and baseball, and as an active member of the Hanna Anglican Church. Always a keen sports enthusiast, Doug’s favourite pastimes included participating in many sports as a child, and then coaching and watching his kids sports, and in later years watching his grandchildren’s sports competitions. Doug was an avid Blue Jays fan, and also enjoyed watching hockey and football. Most lawyers would not simply describe their jobs as “helping people”, but that is how Doug approached his life’s purpose as a small town lawyer for the last (unbelievably) 49 years. Doug thoroughly enjoyed his law practice, and visiting with everyone who came in and out of his office, and ascribed to his philosophy that “retirement is for people who don’t like their jobs”. Doug and Marilyn’s later years involved plenty of travel, trips down south to golf and gamble, and trips to Europe to watch Kent play hockey, and later, to visit their grandchildren in Germany, and Vancouver. Doug was very proud of his grandchildren and he and Marilyn made it a priority to spend as much time as possible with their children and grandchildren. Many thanks to the doctors and nurses in Hanna who provided exemplary care to Doug in his struggles with cancer the last few years, especially Dr. Hanna. A Celebration of Doug’s life will be held at a later date. If one so desires, donations in Doug's name can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society,325 Manning Rd NE #200, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 or to the Hanna Ladies Auxiliary, Box 23, Hanna,AB, T0J 1P0.