It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gretchen Campbell Hess on August 13th, 2024, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 76. Gretchen will be greatly missed by her family; husband of 43 years, Robert Short, daughters Alison (Kevin) and Heather (Matt), grandchildren Clara, Ben, Emma, Charlie and Ella, and her brother, Andy Hess.

Born to James and Jeanette Hess in Dayton, Ohio on July 30th, 1948, Gretchen was a vibrant, sophisticated and passionate person who lit up every room. She was born prematurely just as incubators were invented, and the fighting, determined spirit that defined her early life stayed with her right to the last of her days.

A graduate of Indiana State University in 1969, she went on to complete her Masters degree at the University of Manitoba in Guidance & Counseling, and later her PhD at the University of Alberta in Educational Psychology, where she spent the remainder of her successful career. Gretchen was a popular professor, a dynamic Discipline Officer, a vigorous Vice Provost of Central Admission and an explicit editor for a European medical journal. Gretchen never balked at taking on challenges or finding solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems and she found great meaning and purpose from her dynamic career.

Gretchen loved her daughters, husband and grandchildren deeply. She was also lucky to have a warm circle of friends who visited and helped tend to her needs right to the end. She was courageous and tenacious in her convictions and initiatives. Her legacy will not be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00-4:00 on October 4th at The University Club in Edmonton. We are sure that Gretchen would appreciate those who can attend the celebration to wear their “most fun” earrings, shoes and/or accessories.

The Curling world lost one of its biggest fans.

Glenda, of Leduc, Alberta, died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family, just short of her 74th birthday.

Glenda will be lovingly remembered by; daughter Christina (Stephen) Andersen; son Warren (Amy) Kraft; grandchildren; Christian and Kianna Andersen; brothers Donald (Roberta) Breakwell; David (Debbie) Breakwell; Dennis (Lynn) Breakwell as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Glenda was predeceased by her loving husband of 37 years, Gus, and her parents Don and Lilian Breakwell. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many.

Glenda was born in Edmonton on September 14, 1950. Her family moved to Calgary in 1958 and returned to Edmonton in 1965. While attending Harry Ainley High School, Glenda met her future husband Gus, and the two were married on April 4, 1970. They raised their family in Edmonton, Rainbow Lake, Leduc and Calgary. Glenda moved back to Leduc shortly after the passing of her husband.

While in Calgary, Glenda and Gus took up curling which stirred her passion in the sport. As an avid skip, she coached the skills of the game to those with disabilities, the Alberta’s Junior Boys’ and Girls’ teams and started a youth program called “The Little Rockers.” Glenda volunteered as a line and scoring judge at many men and women’s curling bonspiels, as well as University and at wheelchair curling events.

Glenda, with her friend Milly, went as fans to many briers and international curling bonspiels in North America and she never missed any curling coverage on television.

Cremation has occurred in accordance with Glenda’s wishes and a celebration of life will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Glenda’s name to the Breast Cancer Canada organization (breastcancerprogress.ca) or the Grey Nuns Community Hospital (covenanthealth.ca and click the link for Grey Nuns).

Natalie Oscroft of Sherwood Park, Alberta passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024 at the age of 46 years.

Left to cherish her memory is her partner Wade Evans, her daughter Quinn Pich (Ryan) and son Jesse Barels, her twin sister Jessica Oscroft, her parents Mick and Lynn Oscroft, as well as grandchildren Link, Sawyer, Trigger and Piper Pich.

Natalie was predeceased by her grandparents, Aunt Sharyl Semeniuk and Uncle Tom Bulmer.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Natalie’s memory may be made in lieu of flowers to St Joseph’s Lutheran Church c/o Box 252, Hay Lakes, Alberta T0B 1W0.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 12, 2024 at Scandia Lutheran Church in Armena.

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, Helga Pulak, passed away on August 19,2024 peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the age of 89 in Edmonton Alberta.

Helga is survived by 2 daughters, Marlene (Bill) and Doris (Roland); grandchildren, Stacey, Chelsea, Katie and Jesse; great-grandchildren, Maxin, Keiara, Amina and Arianna. Helga was predeceased by her loving husbands Gerhard and Mike, parents, sister, Doris and brother, Achin.

Helga will always be remembered for her love of family, fashionable sense of style and competitive nature. Helga was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, and immigrated to Canada in 1955 and eventually settled in Edmonton where she raised her family and lived the remainder of her life.

A celebration of life will be held at Christ Family Fellowship, 11304 78th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta on August 24th at 12:00pm. Helga’s final resting place will be Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Alma was called home to her saviour on July 1, 2024.

She will be lovingly remembered by her family. Two sons, Randy (Kelley), Roland (Doris); daughter, Rhonda (Reg) Smith; two stepsons, Mark (Jennifer) and Richard. Her adored grandchildren Lesley, Lindsey, Kaitlan, Aaron, Jesse, Nathan and Matthew.

Alma was predeceased by her parents, Emile and Barb Loranger; husbands, Ellis and Allan; along with siblings, May, Yvonne and Keith.

A celebration of Alma’s life will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Christ Family Fellowship, 11304 78 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Bob Buys on August 17th, 2024 at the age of 71. He was predeceased by his parents George and Norma Buys, siblings Wayne, Lillian and Donna. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth (aka: Mony), children Michelle (Barry), Jared (Kayla), grandchildren, Hudson, Olivia and Aria and his brother Bill (Lisa) as well as numerous nieces and nephews and long time friend Rene.

Bob was born on November 7, 1952, in Selkirk, Manitoba, where he lived with his family until they moved to Alberta when he was a teenager. Bob had many different occupations over the years but is mostly remembered as being a truck driver as well as for his work in oil and gas.

Bob made friends wherever he went, always quick with a joke and looking to get a good laugh out of everyone around him.

As per Bob’s wishes, there will be no funeral service, but a party to celebrate and remember him with close family and friends will be announced at a later date.

On July 5, 2024, Richard A Mosser (Rick), passed away suddenly at the age of 66. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Deanna Bruvold, brother Darcey, sister Melodie, Uncle Reed and Aunt Barbara.

Richard was a kind and generous person, who loved his firebird and hummer. A lot of friends will remember him by his jingle of keys.

Cremation has taken place and his internment will be in Airdrie, Alberta at a later date.

Rick’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all his friends for their support and kindness during this most difficult time. A special thank you to the Osman family for their support.

Daniel Frank Spriensma
April 1, 1983 – August 3, 2024

Our much loved son and brother Daniel died peacefully in his sleep, likely from a condition known as SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. We as family members, together take comfort in knowing that his struggles with an alcohol addiction coupled with the challenges of living with seizures (since 2017) have ended, but his untimely departure has left a large void in all our hearts.

Throughout his life Dan had a heart for helping others, forming deep and meaningful relationships with family and friends. He touched many lives in his last two years of living in the Salvation Army housing facilities as well as the George Spady detox and recovery program, but also while meeting the less fortunate and downtrodden members of society on the streets of Edmonton.

Daniel was born in Grimsby, Ontario and lived with his family in several other cities in Ontario before coming to reside in St Albert Alberta in 2001. In following years he left home to move to and from BC several times, often for work and once to study journalism. Dan loved to travel and held onto a dream of living somewhere other than in Canada and in fact spent most of 2020 in Guatemala.

Left to mourn his passing are: his parents, Douwe and Marion Spriensma, sister Rachel, brother Brent (Erica), sister Miranda Meikle (Colin) and brother Jonathan (Kayleigh). Also missing uncle Dan are Ethan, Tyler and Lucas Spriensma, Silas, Aidan, and Caellum Meikle and Sterling Spriensma. He will also be missed by his uncles, aunts and cousins across Europe and North America.

Cremation has taken place and a service to honour the life of Daniel was held in St Albert on August 9, 2024.

A quote from Walt Whitman encapsulates Dan’s life: “Examine all that you have been told… and dismiss that which insults your soul.”

Please consider a donation to either of the organizations which supported Dan in recent years:
• George Spady Centre in Edmonton
• Salvation Army Centre of Hope in Edmonton.

The family would appreciate you sharing a photo, tribute, memory or expression of condolence.

Douglas Oliver Jones, known affectionately as Doug to his friends and family, passed away peacefully in Edmonton, Alberta, on the 18th of August, 2024, at the age of 74. Born on the 13th of June, 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Doug’s journey through life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his loved ones, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his love for sports and the outdoors.

Doug grew up in Toronto, a city that instilled in him a strong sense of community and the importance of hard work. His academic pursuits led him to the University of Alberta, where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce, laying the foundation for what would become a successful career as an entrepreneur and business owner. His professional life was distinguished by a commitment to excellence in business.

In his personal life, Doug was the beloved husband of Mary Jones, with whom he shared a loving and enduring partnership of over 50 years. Together, they raised their son Michael, and daughter Kathryn and celebrated the joys of family life along with their son-in-law, Ray Durell. Doug’s role as a grandfather to Natalie and Ben Durell was one he cherished deeply, and his influence on their lives will be a lasting legacy.

Doug’s sister, Kathryn Jones, shared a special bond with him, one that was built on mutual respect, love, and the countless memories they created together throughout the years. Doug also is survived by his remaining siblings residing in Ontario (Bob Jones, Brenda Jones and Valerie Jones).

Beyond his family and career, Doug was an avid sports enthusiast. He enjoyed playing hockey and racquetball, activities through which he formed many lasting friendships. His love for the outdoors extended to his home life, where he took immense pride in working on various home projects and meticulously caring for his acreage outside of Sherwood Park. The land he cherished was a testament to his hard work and the joy he found in nature’s beauty.

Doug’s life was a reflection of the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children… to leave the world a better place… to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” He embodied this philosophy through his commitment to his family, his generosity in helping others and the positive impact he made on everyone he met.

As we bid farewell to Douglas Oliver Jones, we celebrate a life well-lived, a man well-loved, and a legacy that will endure through the lives of his family and the people he touched. Though he has departed from this world, the memories he created, the love he shared, and the difference he made will never be forgotten.

As per Doug’s wishes a service will not be held. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society can be made in Doug’s name.

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of Florent (Gil) Gilmore. Gil was a friend to many, even strangers, and will be sorely missed by all those that spent any time with him. He will leave a large void for Gail, his wife of 60 years. They grew up together, laughed together, cried together, explored together. It will not be the same without him.

While he will get to join his daughter Keri, who passed long before her time, he will be missed and celebrated and remembered by his sons Darren (Marina) and Michael (Joni). He showed his boys a few things about life and living and just getting stuff done. Thanks Pop!

He loved his grandchildren, Brianna (Grant), Carly (Dallas), Quinn and Clayton and his great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Alyse. He revelled in teasing and laughing with them all. He got excited getting his hands dirty with them, whether it be fixing something in the garage or in the kitchen.

We know he will be missed by many friends and family so we look forward to celebrating his life at 3PM on Thursday, August 22nd at the Sandman Hotel at 901 Pembina Road in Sherwood Park, AB.

There will be stories of his youth on the farm in Radville, Saskatchewan. We will laugh about some antics during his early work days in the construction industry in Edmonton. He loved sports and coaching his kids in Hockey, Baseball and Softball where he made lifelong friends. Our family appreciates your love and support as we remember our husband, Dad, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Uncle, Brother and friend.

Please forego flowers and if you are inclined, feel free to make a donation in Gil’s name to Covenant Health, who provide palliative care at the Grey Nuns Hospital and where Gil received the most caring of care at a time he most needed it. Our family would also like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at the Cross Cancer Centre in Edmonton so donations in Gil’s name are very much appreciated.

Love you Gilly!