On December 27, 2002 Saskatoon lost vibrant, talented Meredith MacPherson-Stalwick to cancer.
“While she tried so hard to battle the disease and maintain a positive attitude, there never seemed to be a ‘right’ time to discuss Meredith’s wishes upon her passing,” says her husband Roger Stalwick. Fortunately, Meredith, Roger, and their two children Luc and Jen were extremely close, and he feels confident that she would want to be remembered for her passion for helping others and involvement in sport.
Meredith participated in may sports, excelling at all, but golf was always her favourite.
She was introduced to the game by her father, Dr. Ron MacPherson, at Riverside Country Club. As a youngster, Meredith spent many hours hitting balls, developing the work ethic and determination to succeed.
Over the years, she went on to great successes in golf: numerous times a provincial team member, Waskesui Lobstick winner seven times, Women’s Order of Merit winner, and a multitude of tournament wins throughout the province.
In 2003, Meredith’s family and friends established the Meredith MacPherson-Stalwick Fund at Saskatoon Community Foundation in her memory. To Meredith, sport, and in particular golf, embodied several core aspects that mirrored the way she lived her life: self responsibility, dedication, respect for others and the environment, and above all, honesty.
It was decided that a post-secondary scholarship for Saskatchewan junior golfers was the best way to celebrate Meredith’s life and leave a legacy to a sport she loved, forever. “Family, education and community were very important to Meredith and this scholarship fund reflects that,” says Roger.
The selection criteria for scholarship recipients also reflects Meredith’s balanced approach to life. While academic achievement is an important part of the application, involvement in sport and volunteerism are just as important.
For Meredith, giving back to the community through volunteer activities was a constant. No matter how busy she may have been with family, work or competitive sports she was always working on a volunteer committee – either a professional group such as the Massage Therapists Association or a sports group like Saskatoon Masters Swim Club.