December 7, 1938 – January 23, 2023
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Astrid Dale of St. Albert on Monday, January 23.
Astrid, born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, was fascinated by books about adventure and exploration. She followed her fascination when, at age 18, she left home to spend a year in Germany, then a year in England.
At age 20 she travelled alone by ship to Peru to study archaeology. She worked for an American family who gave her time to study and was fortunate to study under a renowned professor of archaeology in Lima. After four years she moved to California, working in a travel agency from where she travelled to many exotic destinations.
She left California for Sydney, Australia with her great friend, Carolyn, and returned to Switzerland after a year.
There she met her future husband, Michael. They were married in January 1968 in Switzerland from where they moved to England. It was a wonderful marriage and a true love story, marred only by the death of their only child, Nadine, at age 20. Michael’s employment in the travel industry saw several corporate transfers including an 18-month role in Kuwait followed by a transfer to Calgary. The family found Canada a wonderful country and, taking advantage of a job opportunity in Edmonton, moved to St. Albert in 1981 with never a second of regret.
Astrid was kind and compassionate, strong in her opinions but never inflexible or intolerant, beautiful in both body and spirit. She retained her interest in archaeology and had a very enquiring mind. She was a wonderful cook and an avid gardener where her efforts were much appreciated by neighbours and passers by.
She will be missed so much by her loving husband, Michael, but leaves so many happy memories.
She leaves her sister, Nadine, in Switzerland plus several cousins there along with her sister-in-law, Heather and her husband, Ray, and a niece, Suzanne, her husband and two sons, all in England. Also missing her dearly will be special friends in Canada, Switzerland and the United States as well as three young ladies whom she considered surrogate nieces.
Much gratitude is owed to the staff of Youville Home in St. Albert for their care, kindness and love for Astrid.
Friends are invited to the Funeral Liturgy at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 9 Muir Drive (corner of St. Vital Avenue and St. Albert Trail), at 2 p.m., on Friday February 3, 2023. In lieu of flowers a donation in Astrid’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Northern Alberta would be appreciated.
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel
(780) 458-2222
