Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin and Friend

We are heartbroken to share the news of Dawna’s passing but feel blessed she lived 93 years to its fullest. She is predeceased by her loving husband Lyle and son Scott (Jocelyn Fraser), brother Daryl Olstad, sister Joan Ross and parents Vera and Joe Olstad. Dawna is survived by her sons Curtis (Kerry Cohoon), Kerry (Sheila Feehan) and daughter Cydney (Russell Croome), grandchildren Jesse (Kevin Thompson), Bram (Anne Timmer), Kendra (Jake Volk), Devan (Jack Williams), Emma, Keegan (Sophia Mantelos), Zach Richler (Sonya Odsen), Caitlin Richler (Andrew Halford), Elyse (Dale Embury), Mitchell Croome, Paul Croome (Shalene Hughes) as well as 5 great grandchildren Hazel, Mila, Tess, Nora and Grayson.

Dawna graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in Medical Laboratory Science and in addition to being a wife, mother and homemaker she worked many years in the China Department at the Bay Southgate. Mom demonstrated her love of family and friends by entertaining with cooking and hosting special dinner parties, decorating unique cakes and handwriting thoughtful cards and letters. She was a talented seamstress, knitter, painter, singer, clogger and tapper, skater (roller and ice), gardener and travelling companion with Dad.

Together they drove and camped through every province of Canada and state of the USA. She loved animals and our family was rarely without a dog or two. Mom was dedicated to the Lord and St. Paul’s United Church and enjoyed serving on several committees there. She touched many lives and cherished her close relationships.

Our Mother’s love will live forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers consider donating to the Bissell Centre 10527 96 St NW Edmonton T5H 9Z9

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at 2 pm at St. Paul’s United Church 11526 76 Ave NW, Edmonton.
Live-streaming is available at https://www.youtube.com/@StpaulsUCYEG/streams

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doris May Burrill at the age of 99. She is predeceased by her husband Garth and her son Allan. She is survived by her son William (Susan) Burrill and her daughter Linda (Ryan) Markowski; 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; many nephews, nieces and friends.

The greatest joy for Mom was her family. She loved spending time with family and cherished every moment. She was famous for her squares and knitted sweaters.

She will be missed by all, but we take comfort in knowing that she is with Dad.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Bryan John Parson was born on April 13th, 1947 in Glenavon, Sk to Joyce (Carter) & Ted Parsons. Bryan passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2024 in Sherwood Park, AB surrounded by his loving family at the age of 77. He is reunited with his loving son, Ryan and his parents.

He will be forever missed by his devoted wife Donna, son Darin(Kerry), daughter Sherry (Trevor), his grandchildren Holden, Nolan, Carter, Sara & Emma. His sister Wendy (Zach) and nephews, along with his 4 legged buds Winston & Rocky.

Bryan was born April 13th, 1947, in Glenavon, Saskatchewan to Ted and Joyce Parsons and was sibling to younger sister Wendy Parsons. After Bryan left home, he spent a brief period in Edmonton before moving to Regina. He met Donna at a dance in Montmartre, and soon after, their life together began. They were married in 1970 and started their family three years later, welcoming their three wonderful children: Darin, Sherry, and Ryan. As the kids grew, life was busy, countless hours were spent watching and cheering each of them on in their sporting activities. Over the course of the next two decades, weekends and holidays were cherished at the lake, whether camping or relaxing at their cottage at Belmont Beach.

Bryan enjoyed a diverse and fulfilling career, trying his hand at many trades, including working as a butcher and a plumber. However, everything truly fell into place when he joined Enbridge, where he found his professional calling. Bryan’s 34-year career with Enbridge began in 1973 in Regina, where he started with the Pipeline Maintenance crew. In 1989, an opportunity arose that led the family relocating to Kerrobert, where Bryan was promoted to Mechanical Supervisor. Nine years later, we faced the heartbreaking loss of Ryan in a car accident. Losing a child feels like losing a part of yourself. Despite the profound sorrow, Bryan and Donna found the resilience to continue and, over time, began to embrace life again. In 2005, Bryan was promoted to Terminal Coordinator, which led to the family’s move to Edmonton. Bryan always held his Enbridge colleagues in high regard, especially his mentor, Ed Young, and his wife, Bernice.

Bryan decided to retire in 2007. However, his work was far from over. His new role was being a full-time Grandpa to Carter, Sara and Holden, Nolan and Emma. He was always on call whenever a grandchild needed something—just dial 1- 800-Grandpa, and he’d be there. This job brought him immense joy and fulfillment. Bryan had many distinctive talents, including his craftsmanship, mechanical expertise, and building skills. Bryan’s diverse talents led to one of his proudest achievements: becoming a founding developer of Kerrobert’s Golf Course. He played a key role in designing and building the pump house and irrigation system. He also used his creativity to craft unique clubhouse dining tables, each featuring a detailed layout of the course on their surfaces.

His passions included his family, as well as he had a fond love for his nieces and nephews, and always making sure Donna was happy. He loved traveling, sports, and golfing with his buddies, as well as taking golf trips with family. Bryan also had a passion for camping, fishing trips, boating, and cheering on his beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders and his Edmonton Oilers

Bryan was rich in ways that cannot be measured by material possessions. He was rich in wisdom, in kindness, in love. He was the kind of man who knew the value of hard work, the importance of honesty, and the strength of humility. He had a heart as vast as the universe. He loved unconditionally, gave generously, and forgave easily. He taught us not just how to live, but how to live well, with purpose, with passion, with love.

Bryan’s legacy is not just in the years he lived, but in the lives, he touched and the hearts he warmed.

Bryan, as you reunite with Ryan in Heaven, we are not saying goodbye. Instead, we are saying thank you. Thank you, Bryan, for your unwavering love, your endless patience, your invaluable lessons. Thank you for your laughter, your wisdom, and your guidance. Your love continues to surround us, your wisdom continues to guide us, and your laughter continues to echo in our hearts. You will always be loved, always be missed, and forever be remembered.

Donna and family appreciate all the love and support from family and friends. Should you so desire, you can donate to: givetoouf.ca/donate-in-memory of Bryan’s honour. Please specify the donation goes to the Home Peritoneal Dialysis Unit (HPDU) in the comments.

The Parsons family would also like to express a big Thank You to all those who provided care to Bryan. Your caring dedication and commitment to Bryan is most appreciated and will always be remembered.

Audrey Marlene Connery
Forever in Our Hearts
October 5, 1939 to September 7, 2024

Audrey Marlene Connery (nee Burns) passed away in St Albert, AB on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 84 years of age. She passed peacefully, surrounded by 3 generations of her family. It was an honour and privilege for her loved ones to be there with her, as she has always been there for them. Audrey is survived by sons; Wayne Connery (Marci) and John Connery (Christine) and daughter, Debra Suchy (Craig) and Cheryl Granger. She is also survived by grandchildren; Madison Adamson (Mike), Aaron Suchy (Tiffany), Paige Tremblay (Lee), Brennen Connery (Renee), Austin Connery and great-grandchildren; Ella Tremblay, Jonathan Tremblay, Callie Tremblay, Barrett Suchy, Teagan Suchy, Gage Adamson, Beau Connery; and sister-in-law Margaret Burns. Audrey also has 2 more great-grand babies on the way. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of over 50 years Gordon Connery (and his siblings and their spouses). She was also predeceased by her mother Jean Schwerdt (nee Knapp, then Burns); father Marvin Burns; stepfather Victor Schwerdt; brother Harvey Burns; and sister Ann Finch (nee Burns, then Holland); brother-in-law Gordon Finch; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Audrey Marlene Burns was born on October 5, 1939 in Edmonton, AB to parents Jean and Marvin Burns. Early in her life Audrey began working to help her Mom, who was then a single-mother raising three children on her own. Audrey became a registered nursing-aide, training under the supervision of Dr Garrison at the Fairview Hospital. She was extremely proud of that accomplishment and she applied the skills she mastered there to all the other career paths she followed over the next 50 years or so. She was a farmer, school custodian, meat cutter, youth and adult support worker, accounting administrator, and an executive director at a Seniors’ Lodge. Audrey’s life experience opened many doors to opportunities that someone with a lesser education wouldn’t normally be qualified. When her daughter was in high school, Audrey returned to school as an adult student and achieved her grade ten so that she could return to nursing, if she chose to. Life got busy and she never returned to nursing but her family was very proud of her for setting and achieving that goal.

Audrey and her husband Gordon were avid volunteers in the communities they lived in. In Worsley, AB they volunteered in many capacities, especially in leadership roles. Audrey’s biggest volunteer accomplishment in Worsley was probably her role in the Alberta Women’s Institute Club (AWI) as President and as the founder of the first ever AWI Girls Club there. She and her daughter spent many, many hours working alongside each other in leadership roles in the club. Audrey’s implementation of the AWIGC gave many girls in the rural north opportunities to learn skills they couldn’t learn anywhere else. In fact, her daughter credits her girls club experiences with helping her become the teacher/public speaker she is today.

After leaving their family farm in Worsley in 1975 and moving to Morinville, AB Audrey and Gordon spent their time being the wonderful parents/grandparents they were and working hard at their jobs. In retirement they started floor curling and loved it. Audrey first served as Director at the Alberta Floor Curling Association and then as President. She was also Social Convener for the Morinville Rendezvous Club. In 2007 Audrey and Gordon received the prestigious provincial Heritage Award for their extensive volunteer efforts. Their family was at the presentation of the award and were all very proud of them.

Audrey and Gordon were certainly dedicated to their communities but they were even MORE dedicated to their family. They knew of each other in the community of Worsley but they first met at a ball game. Gordon offered Audrey a ride home in his old car. This old car had a sign on the back that read, “Don’t laugh lady. Your daughter might be in here.” Audrey’s mother Jean was not impressed and more than a bit concerned when Audrey and Gordon pulled into the driveway that day. Turns out Jean ended up loving and respecting Gordon immensely. Audrey and Gordon wed on Friday, October 14, 1955 at St Paul’s Church in Fairview, AB and made their home in Worsley. They had three children: Debra, Wayne, John. Their family often worked alongside each other on the farm and in the community. They also played together; camping, playing ball, skating, sledding, motor-biking, ice curling, and horseback riding. As a family, they spent a lot of Sunday afternoons with Pete and Violet Nykolsyhyn and their children. They also spent many days and holidays with Jim and Ethel Connery and their kids.

Audrey had a flair for making a house a home and their homes were always lovely. Audrey and Gordon’s first home was a tiny house on the Hoover farm. It was drafty and cold. When they moved onto their farmland they lived in a small house, which burned to the ground in about 1963. They lived in a granary with their first two kids and Audrey’s teen sister Ann while they built their new house on the farm. Later they were required to live in the school yard as Custodians of Worsley School, but soon returned to the charming farmhouse they built on their land, with all three kids in tow. Audrey also had a flair for fashion and sewed most of her kids’ clothes for many years. Despite her sons not liking it, Audrey enjoyed dressing her boys in matching clothes. She and her daughter would look through magazines and the Sears catalogue to pick out things they liked and Audrey would sew them. Sometimes she would use a pattern but often she did not. She was talented in so many ways.

In 1975 Audrey, her husband, and their three children made the big move from their farm near Worsley to Morinville. Later they retired on an acreage next door to their oldest son and his wife just outside of Morinville where they lived until they moved into supported living (Chartwell) in St Albert, AB. During their retirement they enjoyed travelling, especially touring warmer climates in the United States in their motorhome. Audrey became a widow on August 29, 2015 when her beloved husband, Gordon passed away. Requiring a higher level of nursing care, Audrey moved into Youville Home in St Albert in May of this year and that is where she passed.

Audrey was surrounded by three generations of her loved ones during her passing. One of the most beautiful moments was when son John arrived. Audrey had been asking for him, as he rushed to be by her bedside. He took her face into his hands and told her how much he loved her. In and out of consciousness, she smiled ever so sweetly at him. It was such a poignant moment. She had smiled in the same unique way earlier for her son Wayne. Another beautiful moment was when Audrey reached out to her great-grandson Beau and 18 month old Beau held her hand.

Audrey made all her own choices along the way. She was bright and articulate throughout her life. Her feisty personality served her well over the years as she faced many challenges. She faced many hardships from the time she was a child. The adversity made her strong. She was tiny but mighty. She loved her family and extended family deeply with fierce loyalty and devotion. She supported each of her children and their families, as best she could. She was a loving, dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Her home and her heart were always open to her kids’ friends and even stray extended family members over the years. Many of her kids’ friends adored her. Audrey will be forever in her family’s hearts and will be sadly missed. Still her family is grateful that she is free of her worn out physical body and is now with her beloved husband, her mother, her siblings and other loved ones on the other side. Surely they are rejoicing her arrival.

Audrey’s Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, October 6th at The St Albert Inn and Suites, 156 St Albert Trail, St Albert, AB at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Private internment to follow at Saint John Baptiste Cemetery, in Morinville, AB.

On August 27th, 2024 our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Therese (Nguyet) Dinh passed away peacefully at home in Edmonton after a 5-year battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 87.

She was born in 1937 in Hue, Vietnam to Mr. Dinh Viet Thuan and Mrs. Tran Thi Quan. She spent her formative years at the renowned Notre Dame du Langbianor (Couvent des Oiseaux) boarding school in Da Lat, Vietnam where she made many life-long friends, perfected her flawless French, and learned the disciplined ways of the French nuns. She later converted to Catholicism as an adult, after being immersed in the faith through her teenage years at the school.

Therese obtained her Bachelor of Education from Saigon City University of Education (Dai Hoc Su Pham Sài Gòn) in 1967. Following her graduation she went on to teach French at Nguyen Trung Truc school in Rach Gia, Kien Giang. Ahead of her time, she focused on obtaining her education and pursuing her career as an educator. Not until her early 30’s that she re-encountered her childhood family friend, Loc Phan, and the two went on to get married in 1971. Therese then moved to Hue and started teaching at Nguyen Tri Phuong school until 1975. After her only child and daughter – Cecile Phan – was born in 1976, Therese became a dedicated full time mom and wife to take care of her family.

Loc, Therese, and Cecile immigrated to Edmonton in November 1990, sponsored by Loc’s sister Mrs. Sen Phan and brother-in-law Mr. Duong Huynh. To carve out a new life in a new country, Therese bravely went back to obtain a Bachelor of Education after-degree at Faculté St. Jean, University of Alberta, when she was already in her 50’s. After completing her degree, she went on to work for many more years as a substitute French teacher for both Edmonton Public and Catholic School boards. She also taught briefly at Tempo School. There was not a school in Edmonton that she did not go to, and knew the ways around the city by heart through her years of working as a substitute teacher. She finally stopped working in 2010 after the arrival of her first grand daughter to help out with caring for the new baby. Both of Therese’s grand-daughters were cared for by her during the first two years of their lives, and throughout their childhood.

Therese loved her family fiercely and selflessly. This extended not only to her immediate family, but also to her relatives in Vietnam and abroad. She was a loyal and loving friend to many. She never wanted to spend money or focused attention on herself, but instead chose to help out others. One of the ways she showed love was through her cooking, and her family and friends have thoroughly enjoyed her various dishes over the years.

Therese left behind her husband of 53 years, Loc Phan; daughter Cecile (Loc Chi) Phan, son-in-law Son Ton, grand-daughters Annalise Ton and Danica Ton; many relatives, friends, former colleagues, and former students who miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Mrs. Dinh Thi Bach Nga.

We are indebted to Dr. Taryn Baise who was Therese’s family physician for more than twenty years. We would also like to thank the team at Kaye Edmonton Clinic Movement Disorders and Parkinson Disease Center who provided excellent care and support to Therese and our family during the past five years. We are very appreciative of Alberta Health Services home care, self-managed care, and palliative care programs that allowed us to care for Therese until her last days at home. We are grateful for her roster of caregivers – Liza, Letty, Chi, and Maninder – who have become like family to us. Last but not least, we would like to thank our family and friends near and far, who have visited, brought food, ran errands, and prayed for Therese and our family. Your love is felt and much appreciated.

To stay true to who Therese was, in lieu of flowers, the family would be honored to accept donations in her memory which will be sent to Filles de Marie Immaculée (Dong Con Duc Me Vo Nhiem) Hue, Vietnam. This is a religious order of Catholic nuns which remains close to Therese’s heart for many decades. The order provides vocational training, runs daycares and orphanages, operates free clinics and grants scholarships for underprivileged students. For more information about the activities of the order please go to https://tonggiaophanhue.org/on-goi/dong-con-duc-me-vo-nhiem/gioi-thieu-doi-net-ve-dong-con-duc-me-vo-nhiem-hue/ (to translate the page to English please right click and scroll down to “Translate to English” option).

A funeral Mass followed by a reception and celebration of Therese’s life will be held on Friday, September 27th at 1:00 pm at St. Thomas More Parish, 210 Haddow Close, Edmonton. The funeral Mass and eulogies will be live-streamed for those that cannot attend in person https://www.youtube.com/live/MYKZbFRyySc?si=v7bBkEZ8sAYeIXD3.

Family and friends were everything to Rhonda. It is with great sadness and regret that we are announcing her passing.
Rhonda Mastel (Helfrich) was born to Tony & Cecile Helfrich in leader Saskatchewan on February 5,1962. Rhonda may have been born in a small town but her heart was meant for the big city. Rhonda moved to Calgary when she was 18 years old. Rhonda’s husband Jerome Mastel, was a farm boy through and through but he was willing to do anything for Rhonda so he packed his bags and moved to the big city. Jerome and Rhonda moved to Edmonton in June of 1985. Edmonton is where Rhonda made her home. She had her two children Colton Mastel and Amber Mastel Kaps in the grey nuns hospital. Rhonda was an outgoing soul who loved to go out and meet new people. She made so many loving friends throughout her life. Rhonda’s friends were a happy place for her, it was where she felt safe and like she was able to be herself. She was always looking for new adventures to go on with her friends. Rhonda worked as a financial administrator for her entire working career.
Rhonda was a beautiful soul who always wore a smile on her face. She was so positive in life, no matter what was thrown her way, she would say “I got this, one day at a time.”
Rhonda was predeceased by both her parents (Tony & Cecile), her brothers Rodney & Bernie, her sister Yvonne as well as her niece Cherise and nephew Logan. Rhonda is survived and sincerely missed by her husband of 42 years Jerome Mastel, her son Colton Mastel (Jamie) and his son Finley, her daughter Amber Mastel Kaps and her daughter Jayleah. God gave her a beautiful life and I know that I am not the only one deeply affected, in one way or another, by the loss of Rhonda. She had won the hearts of so many people. Rhonda truly did make the world a better place.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 14,2024 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located at 5010 52 ave, Stony Plain T7Z 1C1.

Frances Harriet (Harder) Bevan
April 28, 1942 – August 14, 2024

Family and friends were everything to our beloved Harriet, so it is with heart felt deepest regret that I have to announce the passing of one of the nicest, tenderest, loveliest, most caring ladies I could ever hope to meet let alone get to spend so many wonderful years with.
Frances Harriet – (“Harriet” to her friends and to all who met her) – was born to Peter and Poly Sholter on April 28th, 1942 in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Even though she grew up on a farm, in her heart she was not a farm girl so when she was ready to, she moved to the big city of Edmonton, Alberta. She soon found employment with one of the banks and thus, due to her remarkable ability with numbers and with names and her warm and winning personality, embarked on her career in that field. She attained the position of loans officer, but she turned down offers for management. She had two children, a boy (Martin) and a girl (Sheila) from her first marriage. To Harriet family wasn’t only her love but it was also a responsibility that she took to heart with complete dedication. To further her first husband’s business goals the family relocated several times and Harriet (being Harriet) not only aided and assisted her husband in his oilfield transportation career where ever and whenever she could, but she also often travelled with him on his trips to Texas and occasionally their children accompanied them. Harriet also acquired employment of her own, often in the familiar environment of the banking industry where she was highly desired and readily accepted.
Relocating back to Edmonton Harriet worked hard as a single parent to support herself and her two children. It was during this phase of her life that she applied for a position within Imperial Oil Ltd and, due to her strong abilities, solid endorsements and her background, was soon hired. She was added to the liquid petroleum distribution team at the fuel loading facility. With her strong dedication to her job responsibilities and strong willingness to be a good team member and team player her employment with IOL soon became a new and rewarding career for our Harriet. While working at the 88 and the 92 branch terminals she also had several trips to Toronto on training courses and to Calgary to fill in and to relieve team members there.
I first spoke with Harriet when she worked at the 88 terminal. It was a brief meeting but her warm smile, beautiful blue eyes and caring and kind manners made a lasting impression on me. She was transferred to the 92 terminal shortly after that so it wasn’t until several years later that I got to meet her again. I was no longer married and I was once again taken with both her physical beauty and that inner beauty that was so much Harriet. I learned that she liked to go dancing and when I asked her out she accepted. We started dating and after a year began our life together. We enjoyed going for walks and hikes, dancing, doing crossword puzzles together and watching comedy sitcoms and mystery shows. I enjoyed gardening and she was always very pleased with what I was able to accomplish with our yard. Harriet loved to see things grow and to watch the flowers bud and open. As I needed to reside temporarily part time in northern Alberta due to work, Harriet would often come up to stay with me and accompanied me on my trips. It was during these trips that I first taught her how to drive and how to operate a semi-truck. She took an early retirement package from IOL and after she had taken a more involved professional driving course we began driving as a team, traveling across Canada and into the USA.
When the company we were working for sold out to another, Harriet decided that she wanted to stay at home and enjoy a more relaxing retired life. Being at home she quickly made friends with Diane, a neighbor, and several other ladies including Joanne. She enjoyed getting together with them, having coffee, going for walks and for drives together.
She was “our” Harriet because that is who she became to many of the thousands of people she got to meet during this time. I say she got to meet, but for many of those people they felt that they were the ones who got meet her. With her warm smile, quiet manner, soft spoken voice, friendliness, intelligentce and more than capable abilities she often drew out the best in people and they soon both appreciated and like her. She fulfilled the duties of her position to the maximum and many times went beyond in order to help someone. She was smart and she was sharp and she was honest, she was compassionate, helpful and her regard for the other person was that they were a human being worthy of her time. Harriets passion was walking. From short walks to the grocery store to nature trail walks long the Blackmud creek to walks that took her all the way from her home in south Edmonton to the city down town core. Full of energy she would get up early in the morning before she had to go to work or late in the evening and even late at night after a full day she would head out for her walk. A holiday wasn’t a holiday if she couldn’t walk somewhere. She laughed when she told me she had heard a child say to his mom “See, there goes the walking lady!” Her other passion was cooking and creating meals whether in the kitchen or on the barbecue and she often watched or listened to cooking programs to discover a new way to serve a meal. It was a joy to and for her to put together, make and serve a full and always delicious meal for small groups of family or friends.
Mostly…. she cared……. for and about almost everyone and anything. Things close to her, in her control and not, and things miles away and even across the world. She cared and it always came from her heart ….. which eventually could not carry her any further. Harriet passed away at 1:15pm in the Leduc Hospital in Leduc, Alberta. I stood by her side and always within her view while she struggled to overcome her labouring heart, always letting her know that she was not alone and that not only I and her family loved her deeply but that she was also loved and admired and treasured by so many people. Finally, sitting next to her, we took each in our arms, we kissed each other, told each other that we love the other and then I did the one thing I never ever wanted to do and the hardest thing I have ever had to do…… I told her it was ok to let go. Caring to the very end, she said that she was sorry but she just could not struggle anymore and to let both of her children know that she loved each of them so very much.
Harriets passing at the age of 82 was preceded by her father Peter Sholter, her mother Poly Sholter nee Pronych, her sister Rosaleen Wilhelmsen nee Sholter and her brother-in-law Egan Wilhelmsen.
She is survived and deeply missed by her husband of 32 years Don Harder, her son Martin, daughter-in-law Dewi & granddaughter Meisya Bevan, her daughter Sheila Bevan & her grandson Nolan & his wife Olivia Bevan-Flores, by her sister Shirley & brother-in-law Jack Berglof, by her brother Gene & sister-in-law Mona Sholter and by Dons brother Darius & partner Loki Kriese, brother Darin, wife Ruth, nephews Brayden & Austin & niece Madison, Dons daughter Aubree & grandson Taelen Cavanagh. As I stated at the beginning, family was everything to Harriet but so was friendship and she cherished both. I know that she will be very sadly missed by her cousins, nieces and nephews as well as by her long time, close and truly loved friends Rita, Grace, Diane and Joanne and by many, many more friends and acquaintances.
I had the privilege and immense pleasure of sharing the years God gave her with me and I know that I am not the only one deeply affected, in one way or another, by the loss of her. She had won the hearts of so, so many. The world truly was a much better place with her in it. She will be remembered and she will be missed and all of our prayers go out to her that she truly is in a much nice, kinder place.
As per Harriets wishes her body was cremated and no service was to be performed. At this time a memorial service for her is not planned.

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.