The Independent

Anne McGugan who for decades worked alongside her politician husband, and was a force of nature in her own right, has passed away.

McGugan died May 9 at the age of 85. She had been married to former Brooke-Alvinston Mayor Don McGugan 58 years.

Anne was a teacher for decades, starting in a one-room school in Brigden at 18 and retiring in 2000 after teaching home economics in Petrolia and Sarnia and being a substitute teacher.

She was active in 4H, teaching generations of Alvinston kids homecrafts.

Anne and Don hosted the International Plowing Match on their home farm in 1973.

The pair were constantly together, with Anne driving vision-impaired Don to work in the plants in Sarnia, even crossing strike lines in the process.

Later in life, as Don jumped into politics, Anne helped again, reading agendas, doing research and attending countless council meetings and events.

In 2012, when the couple each won the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, Don talked with admiration about Anne and her willingness to help him. “Not every lady would do this…I would not likely be as patient of an individual as she is.”

Anne said at the time that she enjoyed being active with Don.

“I’ve met people I would have never met before, I’ve walked through doors I never would have walked through before maybe even been places I never would have been before; and had new experiences. It’s been a journey.”

Anne was honoured for her work multiple times including as Alvinston’s Senior of the Year in 2017 and in 2019 as one of the Sarnia Community Foundation’s Women of Excellence.

Visitation for Anne will be held at the Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre Thursday. The funeral will be Friday at 1 pm.

Donations in Anne’s memory will go to Hope United Church where she was an active member, to the summer camps the church runs and the Alvinston Food Bank where Anne and Don have volunteered for many years.