On a sunny but cool afternoon on October 28 members of the Wasaga Beach Hiking Club gathered at Schoonertown Parkette to dedicate a bench and memorial plaque to Lois Kowal who passed away suddenly on April 7 2020.
Lois’ family , her brother Mort and wife Donna and many other organizations were present to pay tribute to the commitment Lois had to her community and to her love of nature.
John Fisher ,Superintendent of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and some of his staff represented the love that Lois had for the Piping Plover Program, Friends of Nancy Island Historical Society and Ontario Nature.
Marilyn Beecroft who with her husband Jim built and installed the bench, spoke of how Lois always went over and above the call of duty to get any task that she undertook done to the best of her ability.
Lois’ interests also extended to the local chapter of Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi and Wasaga Beach Garden Club.
Lois was a long time member of the board of Ganaraska Hiking Club and served as the membership secretary , kept records of end to end badges and inventory of Ganaraska Hiking Trail Guide Book. She also held these positions in the Wasaga Beach club as well as being a hike leader who had an enormous knowledge of the trails and flora and fauna found in this area.
. Many people have stepped up to replace Lois at these tasks but for the members of Wasaga Beach club Lois is irreplaceable. We will miss her tremendously.
Irene Bell, President Wasaga Beach Hiking Club.
