MacDonald, Nuala

Nuala MacDonald (nee Bell) of Beaumont, Alberta, passed away June 2, 2022 at the age of 63 years. She fought a courageous cancer battle with dignity, determination, and kindness toward those around her. She maintained her amazing sense of humor throughout and her family and friends have been touched with her ability to always think of others to the very end. Nuala leaves her loving sons Steven (Leah) and Blake, whom she adored, as they were always the light of her life. She is now free to join her beloved husband Lee, who passed away in March 2022, her best friend and husband of 40 years. She was predeceased by her loving parents, mother Sheila Bell and father Jack Bell, both originally from Ardee, Co Louth, Ireland.

Besides her 2 sons, Nuala leaves behind a loving family who adored her and valued her in so many ways: Tony (Diane), Jacquie, Julie (Seamus), Mike (Maria), John, Sheila, and Peter (Diane). Nuala also has many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews who will forever miss her as she always kept in touch in some way despite the distance. It is hard to imagine she will no longer be the patriarch who kept us all connected. We will honor her at every gathering and remember the many stories she shared with so much gusto – nobody enjoyed the recollections of the Bell family as much as Nuala – it was a staple whenever the family came together.

Nuala will be fondly remembered by her in-laws and the many friends she made over the years. There was never a person that met Nuala who was not instantly captivated by her genuineness, loyalty, kindness, honesty, and most of all her humor which was infectious – it was hard not to be happy in her presence. Nuala was gifted in that she was a genuinely kind caring person who enjoyed the simpler things in life and loved her family above all else. She left an indelible mark on those who knew her and we will be forever grateful for the time we spent together.

As per Nuala’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private celebration of her life will be held by her family. Nuala loved flowers, and would appreciate that gesture, however her wish was that any expression of sympathy could be to help others, therefore donations to the Cross Cancer Clinic or a charity of one’s choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Rest in peace Nuala – you will be remembered and forever missed.

With heartfelt sorrow, we announce the death on Monday, 14 March 2022, of Margaret Kirker Kuefler—widow, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was predeceased by her parents, one brother, her husband, Norbert (Nik) Joseph Kuefler (at age 81), two stepsons and one step-granddaughter.

Margaret was survived by daughter Deborah Lawson and sons William Lawson and Donald Lawson, by step-sons Duane Kuefler (Tracy), although Duane has since passed away, and step-son Anthony Kuefler, and by step-daughter Debra Stenger (Pierre Bellini), as well as by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Margaret was born in 1932 in Edmonton, Alberta, of Scottish immigrant parents, John Hogg and Alice Kirker Hogg (née Griffin). Margaret married George Henry Lawson of South Rawdon, Hants County, Nova Scotia in June 1952 and they had three children together before divorcing in 1963. In 1964 she met Norbert “Nik” Kuefler and his family. Margaret and Nik married in 1984 and were true soulmates until Nik’s death in 2006. At first the family lived in Beverley district in Edmonton. In 1970 they bought a 40-acre property near the town of New Sarepta, where they lived for the next 33 years. The acreage was affectionately called “the stump ranch.” In 2003, due to declining health, Margaret and Nik moved back to Edmonton.

Margaret was widely known as a wonderful downhome cook. Her Christmas feasts, in particular, were legendary. At times, in addition to keeping the home fires burning, she worked as a waitress or cook in various diners or hotels and at the Belvedere Golf and Country Club. She held a security position at Edmonton International Airports for a time, and also did occasional community catering, where she served as many as 200 people. For some years on the acreage she raised and sold chickens. She was also famous for having a couple of well-stocked freezers and a basement cold-storage room. She made sure they would never be stranded in the country without enough food!

She was formally diagnosed with dementia in January 2016, a couple of years after she had begun displaying symptoms. On the day of Margaret’s passing, she slipped away quietly during her afternoon nap. Our deepest thanks go to the endlessly kind, patient and compassionate staff of Unit 10Y at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, who looked after her so well in the last years of her life.

A Memorial Service, followed by a light lunch, will be held beginning at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 25 at the Eastwood Community Hall, 11803 – 86 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta. If you wish to RSVP, you may do so via email to: deborah@thewordcircus.com

Alice was born on October 3, 1942, the third child of Arthur and Augusta Deer. She grew up on the family farm near Canora, Saskatchewan, where the home had a strong Seventh-day Adventist religious focus. A setting of nature started her lifelong interest in growing things as well as in rural things. She took her early education at Canora Public School. In elementary grades, she won several public speaking competitions. She focused on her studies, and was
valedictorian of her high school graduation class.

She went to Toronto to take her nursing education at North York Branson Hospital. There she met her husband, Dennis Allen, from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. They were married on June 21, 1970, and returned to Alberta to live. They spent 51 years of marriage on three acres of land 20 miles from Edmonton. Here they built their home and enjoyed gardening and developing their yard together. Flower gardens quickly popped up everywhere throughout their property.

Alice’s 34-year nursing career provided wonderful experiences. The 20 years she spent working with young patients in pediatrics at the Royal Alex Hospital was the highlight of her career.

Health issues for Alice began in 2000, curtailing many activities. Even though she
experienced so much illness for so long, she was always thoughtful, generous, and
concerned about others.

Alice is survived by her husband Dennis, sister Dorothy, brother Bob, nephews Troy Deer and Tyler Deer and their families. She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Augusta Deer, and a brother, Alvin.

A memorial service celebrating Alice’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 14, at 1 pm at the Sherwood Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, 120 Festival Way in Sherwood Park, AB T8A 5Z1

It is with great sadness that we share that Svend Aage Schmidt, 74, of Sherwood Park, Alberta, passed away suddenly on Monday June 6, 2022 at his home. As per Svend’s wishes there will be no funeral and a private small family celebration of life will be held.

Svend was born January 16th, 1948 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1972. Svend was employed first as a teacher and then a principal with Elk Island Public Schools for over 30 years. He was a leader in his profession and highly respected. He loved his job, his colleagues and the community he served. He was an advocate and mentor for all his students. They meant the world to him.

In his leisure time Svend enjoyed traveling the world, and especially visiting California with his family. He enjoyed talking politics and finances, playing games and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a master at chess and crib and was seldom beaten. Everyone tried but ultimately failed.

Svend is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Frances; daughters, Michelle Planden and Heather (Roger) Lockwood; and son Mark (Kathleen) Schmidt; grandchildren, Eric and Alex Planden, Ethan, Ashley and Joshua Lockwood, Harley, Eva and Molly Schmidt. Svend will be remembered fondly by his sister; Joanne (Paul) Godfrey, and his brother; Torben Schmidt.

He was predeceased by his parents, Emil and Tove Schmidt.

There is a sacredness in tears,
They are not the mark of weakness, but of power,
They speak more eloquently, than 10,000 tongues,
They are messengers of overwhelming grief,
Of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.

Condolences can be shared on the funeral home website under obituaries; simplycremations.com

It is with much sadness we announce the passing of Dorothy (Dorth) Smith on June 6th. Mom went peacefully in her sleep.

Mom will be missed by her loving husband of 68 years, Bud, and her 3 children Kelly (Deb), Dallas (Rhonda), and Tina-Lynn (Jim), along with her 3 Grand children Cameron, Kaitlin and Karlee. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents Ida and John Enger.

The family would like to thank Kipnes Centre for their wonderful care of our Mom these past 2 years.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Kipnes Centre for Veterans (via the Capital Care Foundation) or the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta

There will be a Memorial celebration on Wednesday June 15, 2022 at the Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre, 11834 Kingsway at 2pm

With heavy hearts, we announce that William (Bill) Chychul passed away peacefully at his residence on May 18th, 2022 with immediate family by his side. Bill was 87 years old. Bill will be dearly missed by his loving wife Patricia, his daughter Loretta (Dale), and his two grandchildren (Colton and Paige) who were his pride and joy.

Born in Myrnam Alberta, Bill was a quiet, private man who was so very proud of his Ukrainian roots. As a self-taught accomplished violinist for over 60 years, he entertained “many” with traditional Ukrainian music at various public and private events, including the Ukrainian Village and the Pysanka Festival in Vegreville. In 2015, the Vegreville Cultural Association inducted Bill into the Canadian Ukrainian Music Hall of Honor for his contribution to the culture. Bill always believed that music “lit the soul”.

A Celebration of Bill’s life will take place during a private memorial on June 26, 2022 for Bill’s immediate family and closest friends. The following poem best describes this gentle man…

“He never looked for praises
He was never one to boast
He just went on quietly working
For the ones he loved the most.

His dreams were seldom spoken
His wants were very few
And most of the time his worries
Went unspoken too.

He stood strong and firm
Through all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold onto
In times of stress and strife.

He was someone we could turn to
When times were good or bad
One of our greatest blessings
The man we called Friend, Husband, Grandfather, & Dad.”

Nancy Ellen Brook was born in Manitoba. Nancy
exemplified a life of service to the other and she never stopped helping others. At her core, Nancy defined herself as a story teller. Nancy also deeply valued fairness, justice, equity and respect of others, and these values are well-reflected in the enduring legacy of her creative, commercial and citizen service.

Nancy’s childhood dream was to be a fighter pilot. She eventually conceded that that was a career door not yet available to women. Nancy recounted her mother’s disapproval as “If the good Lord had intended for you to fly, he would have given you wings.” So, in 1970, Nancy graduated as an X-Ray Technician from Winnipeg General Hospital, where she served as student body president, and in 1973, as a Radiotherapy Technologist with Cancer Care Manitoba. Nancy sustained her commitment to the healing of others over several decades through a holistic healing practice.

Nancy reflected in later life that after only five years of working with cancer patients, “at the age of 25 I was a young person who was better versed in issues of dying than I was in the issues of living. That was something that was a unique and sobering experience for a young person…, and back then it wasn’t … really the best way to live life to the fullest.” Nancy also reflected of this time, “My experiences in these professions gave me an
understanding of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. I met some
truly incredible everyday heroes.”

Consequently, Nancy engaged in an early career redirection in Creative Communications (Radio, Television, and Print) at Red River College, where she was awarded the Canadian Broadcaster’s Award. For the next 44 years, Nancy excelled as a writer, director,
producer and creative force in Canadian commercial and educational television and
diverse corporate/enterprise media productions. Nancy contributed creative and
production leadership at Superchannel, MovieMax, and Family Channel. Nancy also led the unionizing of the technical and creative resources of Global Edmonton’s predecessor production workplace, contributing to workplace fairness and justice during an exciting period of rapid growth in western Canadian media.

Over three decades as an independent writer, producer and director Nancy contributed to award-winning television productions that aired nationally on CBC, CTV, Global, APTN, BC’s Knowledge Network, TV Ontario, and most recently, in 2021, The Awakeners series for AMI-tv Canada. Nancy was especially honoured to be the screenwriter for a documentary about legendary Canadian business journalist Peter C. Newman, which aired on Knowledge Network, and she spoke of that experience at times while sporting her signature black leather cap.

As a leading media educator, Nancy served as Script Development as well as Production Manager during a time of critical growth in ACCESS Television’s era as Alberta’s public educational broadcaster. Over more than two decades, Nancy also helped developed
regional Indigenous capacity as trainer and producer for Inuvialuit Communications Society in Inuvik, NWT. Nancy was a Canadian innovator in facilitating the raising of Indigenous voices in broadcast media, and she spent many wonderful hours recording the wisdom and life stories of Indigenous Elders from the Arctic to the US border, with many of those stories airing during the formative era of Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN).

Nancy taught writing and production at NAIT, and with her colleagues successfully
lobbied The World Bank to bring students from Kenya to Canada for television broadcast training. Nancy later served in a critical creative role with academic physicians and Indigenous knowledge keepers during Pallium Canada’s formative years, co-creating
innovative drama-based instructional videos, now used nationally with two generations of Canadian health care professionals, which thoughtfully explore how to communicate more effectively with patients about serious illness and dying.

Nancy was a beautiful poet, short- and long-form writer, and novelist. In 2015, Nancy partially fulfilled a dream of bringing her Métis hero Jessica Seeker to life in a serialized novel format, publishing her first novel, Jessica Seeker and the Ghost Walkers. Nancy’s novel has been widely-acclaimed by readers and it is grounded in complex themes that pre-date those emerging from Canada’s Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Nancy was an advocate and honest broker in the public interest for accountability and improved Quality of care at times when citizens are most vulnerable. Predeceased by her second husband and love of her life Arnold, Nancy tirelessly cared for Arnold over
several years as he gradually slipped away with progressive dementia. Nancy later
provided strategic communications and advocacy for caregivers at the provincial and federal levels. For more than a decade, and until well into her final year of life, Nancy was reappointed multiple times by Order-in-Council and served Albertans as an active Public Member of Hearing Tribunals for professional discipline and associated Administrative proceedings, where she was respected as principled and unwavering in her duty to help sustain the public interest of Albertans.

Nancy was guided by deep spirituality throughout her life. In later life, her Christian faith was re-kindled as she chose to enter the community of Salem Mennonite Church.

Nancy is a beautiful soul who will be deeply missed by those whose lives she touched in many and varied ways. Nancy leaves us with a hopeful example of service to the other, especially those living in positions of vulnerability and marginalization. Nancy has many loving friends, colleagues and associates who participated in her life, well-being and care over the years and who will dearly miss her, but who have been enriched by knowing her.

A memorial of Nancy’s life will be held at Salem Mennonite Church, 20 minutes
southeast of Tofield, Alberta at 49232 – Range Road 184, on Friday, June 24, 2022 at
11 am. All who knew Nancy are welcome to attend.
Please email info@maryrankin.com if you will be attending.

Gordon John Voth passed away suddenly on a very sad day, May 26, 2022 at the age of 81.

He was born on October 5th, 1940 in Grande Prairie, AB, to Henry and Jean Voth. 

Gordon held many important roles, but most importantly he was our husband, dad, grandpa, father-in-law, brother, son, and friend. He will forever be in our hearts and
remembered for being “Gordon”; those that knew him truly understand what that means and smile!

Gordon was a longtime resident of Sherwood Park, AB, were he resided with his family and was an active member of his community. After his retirement as CEO of Northwest Health for 8 years in High Level, Gordon and Dianne returned to Sherwood Park. Retirement did not slow down Gordon and he could be found on the golf course, in his garden, seniors coffee hour at the local Timmies, or going on travel adventures with his best friend, Dianne. 

Gordon became the president of SUN (Seniors United Now) and also was part of many church committees. He enjoyed working with his church community of St Thomas Anglican Church.
 
Gordon’s wife, Diane, will miss him dearly, as will his two children, Teresa and Chris, and their spouses Markus and Kathy. The grandkids, Alex and Josie, who spent many hours with their grandpa, are losing a great friend and advisor. Linda (John), Annie (Bob), Ken (Nancy), and Vernon are the brothers and sisters who are losing a person who was
always there and always cared. 

Celebration of Life Service
07 June 2022 at 1:00 pm
St Thomas Anglican Church
4 Raven Drive
Sherwood Park, AB

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice.

“His absence is like the sky, spread over everything.” — C.S. Lewis

FIELHABER, MAE JULIE (nee TINNEY)
August 14, 1930 – May 23, 2022

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mae Julie Fielhaber at the age of 91.

She will be missed by her daughter Lynne (Gord), sons Vann (Carmen) and David. Beloved Granny Mae to Kailey, Dana, Eric, Julianne and Luc. Great Granny Mae to Jordyn, Noah, Joshua, Charlie, Desmond, Hazel and Watson. Sister Doris Kulak, brothers-in-law and sisters in law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mae was predeceased by husband Arthur Fielhaber in 1985, parents John and Clara Tinney and seven siblings.

Mae grew up on the family farm in the Highvale area. She spent time in Fort St. John and Calgary before raising her family in Stony Plain, Evansburg and Edmonton. Once retiring from 25 years with Safeway, Mae returned to Stony Plain.

Mae enjoyed travelling and spending time at David’s acreage. She loved gardening, finding four leaf clovers, reading and puzzles. We will fondly remember the sparkle in her eyes, joy of an adventure, and the love and pride of family. May she Rest In Peace and finally be able to go home.

Special thank you to the caregivers and staff at The Good Samaritan Care Centre in Stony Plain for the compassion and care you gave our mother during her struggle with dementia. In keeping with Mae’s wishes there will be no funeral. The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.

It is with profound sadness that we announce that our beloved mother, sister, aunt and wife Anne Schuurmans passed away on May 17, 2022 at the age of 79 years. Anne and her twin Marie were born in West Mabou, Nova Scotia, to parents Finley and Mary Anne (MacDonell) Beaton, the youngest of 7 siblings. Anne was predeceased by her parents; brothers Fr. Angus Beaton, John Beaton, and Malcolm “Mack” Beaton; sister Jenny; brother-in-law Stanley MacNeil; and sisters-in-law Josepha Beaton and Doreen Beaton.

Anne is lovingly remembered by Rudy, her husband of 46 years; her children Anke (Robert) Banks of Calgary and Angus (Jennifer Babuik) Schuurmans of Edmonton; her grandchildren Oliver and Joshua Banks of Calgary; her brother Roderick “Roddie” Beaton of Halifax; and her twin Marie (Owen) Cameron of West Mabou. She is survived by nephews Alec and Angus MacNeil, Gord Beaton, Derrick and Geoffrey Cameron, and Stephen Beaton; and nieces Betty Ann MacQuarrie, Genevieve Beaton, Denice Fryer-Lalande, and Alisha MacLellan.

In their early years, Anne and her twin were inseparable with one often passing for the other. They loved going to the beach and to local square dances. In her 20s, Anne left Cape Breton to complete her nursing training at the Halifax Infirmary and went on to nurse in many places including Halifax, Toronto, and Calgary. While living in Halifax, Anne met Rudy. They married on Aug. 21, 1976 and moved out west, first living in Calgary then Hay Lakes, Alberta where they had their children. They returned to Beaverbank, Nova Scotia for 7 years before moving back to Edmonton where they spent the rest of their lives.

Anne was a warm, kind, caring woman with a love of East Coast music and a good game of cards. She was never too busy for a chat and touched all who met her with her friendly spirit and thoughtfulness. She loved being a nurse and truly found her calling in the latter part of her career when she worked as a long-term care nurse at the Good Samaritan Dr. Gerald Zetter Care Centre and St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta.

Although her memory failed her in her final years, Anne’s gentle manner continued. The family would like to sincerely thank AgeCare South Terrace for their care of Anne over the past 3 years.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday May 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Parish, 210 Haddow Close NW, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta.