Janet Isabel McRae
Teacher and member of the Women's Missionary Society · 1908–2016
Biography
Janet Isabel McRae (1908–2016)
Janet Isabel McRae was born on May 6, 1908, less than three years after Alberta became a province, and lived in Edmonton all her life. She studied at the University of Alberta, graduating with the class of 1934.
She was a teacher. The Edmonton Public School Board recognised her for 32 years of faithful service, from September 1938 to July 1970; one account puts her whole teaching career at forty years.
At First Presbyterian Church she sat in the balcony on the left, the south side, and she encouraged the church’s mission work through the Women’s Missionary Society. Kenneth Munro tells her story in his history of the congregation, First Presbyterian Church, Edmonton: A History (2004).
Her mind stayed sharp into her second century. When friends threw her a surprise party for her 107th birthday in 2015, she said she hadn’t expected one, credited exercise and healthy eating for her long life, and recalled her mother’s advice: “Do the best you can.”
Isabel McRae died on September 14, 2016, aged 108. Her funeral was held at First Presbyterian Church on September 30, with Rev. Harry Currie officiating, and she was buried in the Edmonton Cemetery. On All Saints’ Day 2026, Rev. Dr. Mark Chiang remembered her in his sermon “All dressed in white”, saying that for over a hundred years she was an encouragement to this church, and that she continues to be one after her death.
Roles and service
- 1938 – 1970
Teacher
-
Member
Education
- 1934
Graduate
Further reading
Sources
Her Edmonton Public School Board certificate records 32 years with the board (1938–1970); CTV News (2015) says she taught for 40 years, which may include teaching before 1938. Her seat in the balcony and her work with the Women's Missionary Society come from Rev. Dr. Mark Chiang's sermon of November 1, 2026, which draws on Kenneth Munro's 2004 history; the history itself has not yet been checked. Her degree at the University of Alberta is not yet known.
- Church record Edmonton Public School Board, "Recognition for Long Service" certificate presented to Miss J. Isabel McRae for 32 years' service, September 1938 to July 1970, dated June 30, 1970 (framed; displayed at First Presbyterian Church, November 1, 2026)
- Rev. Dr. Mark Chiang, "All dressed in white" (sermon), First Presbyterian Church, Edmonton, November 1, 2026 (balcony, south side; teacher; Women's Missionary Society; Munro's history) Link to this source (opens in a new tab)
- "Janet McRae" (obituary), September 2016: died September 14, 2016, aged 108; funeral at First Presbyterian Church, September 30, 2016, Rev. Harry Currie officiating; interment Edmonton Cemetery Link to this source (opens in a new tab)
- CTV News Edmonton, "Edmonton woman, 107, gets a birthday surprise" (2015): born 1908, lifelong Edmontonian, taught for 40 years, University of Alberta alumna Link to this source (opens in a new tab)
- University of Alberta Alumni Association, New Trail, Winter 2014, "The Face of a Century" (Isabel McRae as the 1934 class representative) Link to this source (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "List of oldest Edmontonians" (Janet McRae, born May 6, 1908; died September 14, 2016) Link to this source (opens in a new tab)
- Kenneth J. Munro, First Presbyterian Church, Edmonton: A History (Victoria: Trafford, 2004) (cited in the sermon; not yet consulted) Link to this source (opens in a new tab)