Douglas (Brian) Pettigrew, age 83 years, of Calgary, passed away peacefully from cancer on July 2, 2022, in Calgary at AgeCare SkyPointe Hospice.

He was born on April 11, 1939, to William (Bill) and Edythe Pettigrew in Calgary and moved to Edmonton at the age of 3.

Brian attended Westmount School and Westglen High School, followed by the University of Alberta where he received his Bachelor of Commerce Degree.

He worked in retail management in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Thunder Bay.

He was highly involved in the YMCA and Tuxis Boys Parliament through the Alberta Youth Parliament where delegates engage in the parliamentary debate.
Brian is survived by his sons Bob (Carla), and Howard (Margaret), grandchildren Billy, Dustin and Chad, great-grandson Jayce, sister Carol Olson (Pettigrew) niece Laurie Brugos (Olson) and nephew Tim Olson (Paula).

He was preceded in death by his youngest son Scott, and parents William and Edythe Pettigrew.
Many thanks and deep appreciation goes to the excellent staff at AgeCare SkyPointe Hospice for their compassionate support for Brian and his family.

Donations may be made to The YMCA in Brian’s name – Charitable Registration 11930 7122 RR0001 by way of:

1. Online at:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/DonationPage.aspx?eventid=352037&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=direct/none

2. Send a cheque in the mail to the attention of:
Nancy Moore
General Manager
Don Wheaton YMCA
YMCA of Northern Alberta
10211 – 102 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
T5J 0A5

Born 1946, Hull, England
Deceased July 16th, 2022, Sherwood Park, Alberta

It was with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Alan Freer, beloved husband of Linda Freer, and father to Dianna Hrankowski, Greg Freer, and Chad Freer, at the age of 75 years.

Alan was born in Hull, England, in 1946 but later migrated with his family to the Mulgrave area in Nova Scotia in 1957. It was in Nova Scotia that Alan would meet his wife Linda, whom remained married for 54 years until his death. Alan is survived by his wife Linda, children Diana (m. Bill), Greg (m.Tania), and Chad. He is also survived by his grandchildren Natasha, Sonya, Stanley, Keegan and Emily. Alan leaves behind his brother George, sister Iris, sister Barbara, and many nieces and nephews.

Alan worked at the fish plant in Mulgrave where he also built his first home and raised his children. He next worked at the heavy water plant for many years. The family moved to Ft. McMurray in 1987 where he worked at Syncrude until his retirement in 2005. Upon retirement Alan and Linda moved to Sherwood Park so they could remain surrounded by much family and friends.

Alan was a gifted renovator, and when not constantly updating the many houses he and Linda shared over the years, he would help all of his children with their projects. Alan also renovated his beloved lake house on Baptiste Lake where he enjoyed spending time, and where his ashes will be returned to the earth.

Although short in stature Alan’s broad shoulders were often used to more than carry his weight. An incredibly hard worker, Alan and Linda often helped many family members throughout the years. Described as a rather quiet and humble man, he was still sought
after from his boys for advice right up until the end. Alan would be overwhelmed and likely embarrassed by the amount of people reaching out to express their condolences and provide support to the family during this time. The family, does, however, appreciate this outpouring as they say farewell to Alan.

It is with great sadness we inform you of the sudden passing of Nancy Jane Rafuse, beloved mother, sister and friend on June 19, 2022. She was 79 years old.

Predeceased by her husband David and many brothers and
sisters, Nancy is survived by her 4 children, Tom (Fred) Rafuse, Shawna Rafuse, Ian Rafuse, and John Rafuse; her grandchildren; and her siblings and family in New Brunswick.

Nancy spent her working life at White Hall Daycare in Edmonton, where she built many lifelong relationships with the children she cared for. Many of them often referred to her as “Miss Nancy”!

Nancy’s biggest passion was wrestling. Passing this passion to her boys, she loved the whole wrestling world! Friday nights were spent with John watching wrestling, and no one will ever forget her presence as she cheered her son Ian on as a referee and heckled the wrestlers of RCW on a weekly basis! Her seat will forever be seated around the RCW ring and her memory will live on FOREVER!

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Abbotsfield Recreation Center from 7-9 pm

Nancy Wittur (nee Sachko ) 78, of Edmonton, passed away suddenly on June 13, 2022. She was born to Yrena and Stefan Sachko in Lac La Biche, Alberta on August 17th of 1943.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Olga and Steve. She is survived by her siblings William, Irene and Meri; nieces and nephews; three children; Louella, Kevin and Jay; and six grand children: Trish, Jennifer, Susan, Holly, Cianna and Karlos.

Nancy enjoyed working as a waitress in her youth, a homemaker and was happy in the orchard picking fruit while she lived in the Okanagan.

A celebration of life will be held for her at a later date. For further information please call Jay at 604 809 1410.

PARK, Elizabeth – October 2 1943 – July 6 2022.

Elizabeth passed away peacefully on July 6 2022. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 59 years Samuel, her two children Helen (Garnet) and Geoffrey (Liana), and her four adored grandchildren; Marilyn, Jane (Mark), Matthew, and Adam. She was predeceased by her parents William and Elizabeth Sands, her sister Margaret (David), and is fondly remembered by her brother Billy, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland to William and Elizabeth Sands. In 1962 she met her future husband, Sam, at a dance and they married in 1963. In 1965 Elizabeth and Sam emigrated to Canada and lived in several cities throughout Canada before settling in Edmonton. They were longtime residents of their community and enjoyed life with many friends, near and far. Elizabeth loved cooking, dogs, roses, and her music, especially the music she loved from her childhood in Ireland.

The family would like to thank the Edmonton General Hospital palliative care staff, the staff at the University of Alberta Hospital, and the Liver Transplant Team for the compassion and the exceptional care given to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the fortunate recipient of a liver donation that allowed her to enjoy her family for an additional 20 years. Donations to the Canadian Liver Foundation would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

A celebration of life will be held in the near future to remember Elizabeth and share the many memories her friends and family hold dear.

Barbara Aileen Beirnes (nee Bowron) passed away peacefully on July 5, 2022, at the age of 87. Beloved wife of late Harry Beirnes (2004). Cherished mother of David (Jean), Cheryl, and Brad (Kelley). Beloved grandmother to Lauren (Brandon), Sarah (Darren), Blair (Chloe), Andrew (Nihar) ,Kate (Jared), Steven (Julianne) and Kevin(Kayla) as well as great grandchildren Dylan, Jake, Tane, Emma, Sadie, Leah and Logan. Predeceased by her parents Richard and Ada Bowron, her brother Richard, sister Jessie and son-in-law Jim. Survived by her sister Shirley.
Barbara was born and raised in Biggar, Saskatchewan. She married John Kleinsasser in 1955 and they moved to Edmonton in 1959 where they raised their 3 children, moving back to Biggar in 1973. Barbara married Harry Beirnes in 1981 and moved to Ruthilda. Previously, she worked mostly retail jobs, but the role she really cherished was being a farm wife. In 2016, she moved to Edmonton to be closer to her family.
Barbara was an exceptional baker, who especially loved making pies and cookies. She loved to crochet and cross stitch, and has left many beautiful afghans and pictures to be cherished. She enjoyed reading, word puzzles and watching British mysteries.
The family would like to thank her friends and the staff at Shepherd’s Care South Side Manor for their support and friendship over the last few years.
Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Fund or Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. A private celebration of life will be held a later date.

It is with deep sadness the Blum family announces the passing of their Dear Grace Annely Blum. Grace was born in Hay Lakes AB and is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Ronald Dean Blum. She is survived by her 2 natural born children Trudy (Brent) Rost and Kevin (Tracy) Blum and 2 stepchildren, Shelley Laturnus and David Blum. She will be missed by many including her sister Vera Miller, brother Jerry (Theresa) Busenius and her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Grace deeply loved her family and served them tirelessly. She touched the hearts of many, was loving, kind, and giving and will be impossible to forget. If you knew her, she considered you family, and took care of you whether you liked it or not. She was Truly one of the great ones.

Mary Jean Freebury passed away on June 15, 2022, in the
presence of her loving family. She was born on January 26, 1931, in Grande Prairie, Alberta to Dr. Murray and Jean Carlisle. She is survived by her loving husband Jack Freebury, her children Jean, John and Lynn, and two grandchildren Vivienne and Juniper.

Mary Jean will be remembered for her many contributions throughout her life. She
attended the Royal Conservatory of Music for a year in 1951 before completing her studies in Education at the University of Alberta in 1953. She devoted much of her life to educating, caring for and inspiring children and youth. One of those youth, now grown up, shared that “she had a joyous loving spirit, filled with energy and creativity that she shared with so many.” Her vibrant stories of growing up in Grande Prairie were
particularly loved by her family and friends.

Mary Jean worked for 16 years with Initiatives of Change in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, and Mackinac Island, Michigan. During her 8 years at Mackinac Island she
established a 4H club for girls. She became a mentor to her 4H girls establishing friendships and connections that lasted a lifetime.

In 1966 Mary Jean married Jack Freebury, who she grew up with in Grande Prairie. In 1969 they settled in Edmonton, where she became a devoted mother of 3 children. She worked as a substitute teacher and served as the costume director for the Alberta Ballet School. Her home was a place of hospitality and relationship building where people felt loved and cared for. Mary Jean and her husband Jack were committed to inclusion and human rights. Together they volunteered for the National Day of Healing & Reconciliation events held in Edmonton.

She was a sister, wife, mother, mentor, teacher, seamstress, friend, and dearly loved by many.