 In January 1921 , Sifton became ill and took leave from his duties for a few days . Although his recovery seemed imminent , his condition suddenly worsened . He died at his home on January 21 at the age of 62 . Borden mourned the loss of " a public servant of the highest ability and of the most conspicuous patriotism " . He was buried in Ottawa 's Beechwood Cemetery , Canada 's historic national cemetery , joined by his wife Mary Horseman Deering Sifton ( whom he had married in 1882 ) in 1939 . 
