Obituary of Merle Bocking

With heavy hearts, the extended family of Merle Bocking announce the passing of their dear “Aunt Merle” on September 13, 2016. Merle was predeceased by her husband Douglas, her parents Jack and Algerda Armstrong, her parents-in-law Edwin and Agnes and her sisters Barbara and Florence. She is survived by Esther Packard, Leslie Bocking, Joan (Jerry) Ogle, Olive Mortensen and many nieces and nephews. She was the last matriarch of the Armstrong family. Martha Merle Armstrong was born on May 10, 1925 at the family farm near Corning, SK. At a young age, Merle moved with her family to the Carrot River district where she completed high school. Merle received a Provincial Scholarship to attend the University of Saskatchewan where she was awarded her Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and physics in 1945. During her studies, Merle worked summers in armament factories and then for a time as an Instrument Technician at Turbo Research Limited in Winnipeg. In 1946, Merle completed a Secretarial Course in Saskatoon. She worked initially for the Income Tax Branch, Department of National Revenue and later as a secretary for the Department of the Attorney General in Melfort, SK. She finished her career at the U of S, eventually retiring in 1982 as Secretary to University President Robert W. Begg. While attending University, Merle met Doug whom she married on April 25, 1947. Their marriage lasted until Doug's passing on October 18, 2013. While they had no children of their own, Merle and Doug doted on and nurtured their many nieces and nephews. As a result, all of the nieces and nephews feel deeply loved and appreciated. For them, the loss of their Aunt is especially poignant; each has unique stories to tell. Throughout her life, Merle pursued her interest in the arts. She began with leatherwork and progressed to weaving and knitting. She purchased and installed a large loom in her home in Saskatoon and produced many woven items. One of her knitted shawls was purchased by the Saskatchewan Arts Council in 1980 for its permanent collection. As well, Merle and Doug pursued their joint passion for photography. Notable among these endeavors were their photographs of mountain flora taken on their frequent holiday trips in the Canadian Rockies. Eventually, they donated some 400 color slides of identified alpine flowers to Banff National Park. Upon Merle's retirement, her participation in volunteer activities intensified; to all of these, Merle brought her bright and optimistic attitude and won many friends who continue to remember and to cherish her. Merle was a founding member of the Saskatoon Spinners and Weavers Guild and a longtime member of the Canadian Federation of University Women. Merle and Doug were life members of the Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, St. Timothy's Anglican Church, the Saskatoon Natural History Society and they traveled to Elderhostel courses in Canada, the United States, France, Italy, and Ireland. In her later years, she cared for Doug as his health declined. A peaceful journey, Merle!