Tevis Marie Staniszewski (nee MacLean)

“Mama Tevi” as she was affectionately known, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on April 30, 2026. She was the treasured daughter of Daniel Duncan “Hid” MacLean and Mary Roy Grant MacLean of North Sydney, Cape Breton. She will always be cherished and deeply missed by her son Kurt Bagnell, his spouse Heather Imrie and her grandchildren Breagh and Grier Bagnell as well as by her dear sister Lally Gouthro, husband Terry Gouthro and their children Brett (Sandy), Gordon (Brione) and Maria Gouthro.

Tevis was predeceased by her husband, the Honourable Paul Staniszewski and his eldest daughter Gayle. She is survived by step-daughters Camille Hankey (Steve Milotay), Michelle Beaven (Darrel) and Andrea Charlton (Gregg) and step-grandchildren Alaina Charlton (Angad Bajwa) and Jordana Charlton.

“To Thine Own Self Be True.” (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3)

All her years Tevis lived and breathed this maxim. As a young divorced mother in the 1950”s, she supported her parents and young son while pursuing her studies and career in teaching. These led to assignments in Ottawa, Quebec and Soest, Germany from where she travelled extensively in Europe and the Middle East. After returning to Canada in 1965, she accepted a consultant’s position with the Windsor Board of Education and married Paul, living in Tecumseh, Ontario until his death. In 2013, she moved to Banff where she enjoyed her life surrounded by the mountains and sharing wonderful times with her family.

Tevis enjoyed a very successful career as well as a very active and social life. Always a teacher, she brought intelligence, beauty, wit and grace to all she met, including during her final hours. These gifts she shared with all her family. She was addicted to politics, current affairs and the state of our country. She was a proud Canadian and a proud Cape Bretoner. She was a lover of knowledge, literature, music, theatre, visual arts and all things that added beauty to the world. Above all, family was of the utmost importance. So much more than just a Mother, she was our mentor, our confidant, our advisor, our friend, and our rock when life was difficult.

As Queen Elizabeth II said, “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

We would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to Dr. Elisabeth Brodeur, the staff of the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, the whole team at Banff Homecare and to MaryLou Cumagun for their care and support in helping her fulfill her desire to live independently.

To quote Robbie Burns, she was

‘A friend to mankind, a friend of truth

A friend of age, and guide to youth

Few hearts like hers, with virtue warm’d,

Few heads with knowledge so informed:

If there’s another world, she lives in bliss;

If there is none, she made the best of this.’