05/12/2025
Sadly Aileen McConnell a past president of CBCA has passed away. Martha McHardy, who used to host the Metchosin Sheepdog Trail with Aileen, wrote the following:
I was blessed to have known Aileen over our many years in Metchosin, and we met as both of us were just embarking on our journeys into the world of working sheepdogs together. Aileen and her husband, Dr Fleming McConnell, had sold their horse farm in Alberta on his retirement, and bought their small farm in Metchosin, when he retired from his academic position at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Deciding that the new little farm was not particularly suited for horses, Aileen decided to acquire a small flock of North Country Cheviot sheep. From there, she wanted to learn how to train and work with a Border Collie, and so we were destined to become good friends!
We travelled to many sheepdog trials together, and co-organized the annual Metchosin Sheepdog Trial for 20 years; bringing top judges from around North America as well as the UK. In conjunction with the trial, we hosted clinics to share knowledge and learn from top clinicians. Handlers came to the Metchosin trial not only from all over B.C., but from all over Canada, as well as from the US.
Aileen served a term as President of the Canadian Border Collie Association, at a critical time in its inception, and along with Amanda Milliken, they supported Canadian breeders of working collies at a time when CKC was vying to register the breed. Due to their diligence and foresight, the CBCA came into being to become the sole registration body for Canadian Border Collies, with a strong mandate to preserve the working attributes of the breed.
Aileen was extremely accomplished in everything she pursued, across wide and divergent interests. She and her husband supported Pearson College, an international college that brought gifted students from around the world together for two years of studies. They sponsored students from China, having travelled there on many occasions, and served as the ‘Canadian parents’ for the Chinese students, welcoming them into their home. They maintained contact with these students over many years as they went on to pursue graduate studies and careers. Aileen spoke 4-5 languages fluently, including Mandarin, French, and Spanish, to name a few.
Aileen and Fleming were interested in and supportive of Arts and Culture in every community they had lived in, across Canada. They were patrons of museums and art galleries in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. They were gracious and expansive hosts and opened their home to a huge variety of people from all walks of life and from around the world.
I was blessed to have known Aileen, and benefitted immensely from our friendship. She touched so many others’ lives, in so many ways - rest easy, dear friend.
Claire Morgan (Aileen's niece) is managing the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Dr Aileen McConnell.
An online service will be held
Friday 12 December 2025 at 1pm (PST time - Victoria, BC)
Aileen’s friends and family around the world may gather together.
Please email [email protected] to receive the Zoom online meeting link and joining details.
