WALLACE, Verna Kathleen November 5, 1951 - Gladstone, Manitoba March 20, 2020 – Cochrane, Alberta
It was a beautiful spring day, with clear blue western skies, when Verna passed away joining her Mom and Dad on March 20, 2020. Ed and Nettie Friesen brought Verna into the world in the small town of Gladstone, Manitoba on Nov. 5th, 1951.
She joined older brother Murray as the family moved around the small farming communities of southern Manitoba until finally settling in Headingly, Manitoba. It was here that Verna was raised and grew into womanhood. She maintained her small-town values throughout her life.
She made a point of keeping up with family – her aunts, uncles and cousins were all very important to her. Verna loved making and maintaining friendships. Her ready smile, her openness, her positive attitude and willingness to maintain contact endeared her to many. When she turned 18, Verna and her best friend decided to move to Calgary. They worked at various jobs in Calgary and managed to backpack through Europe together before life took them on separate paths. In 1978 Verna joined Shell Canada where she would remain until her retirement in 2009.
It was in 1978 during Stampede week, at the Golden Garter Cabaret in the Westin Hotel, that Verna met Don. They started dating and became constant companions and were married in 1982. Verna and Don shared a rich and full life together enjoying each other’s company and activities shared with many friends – hiking, bicycling, skiing, motorcycling, sailing, travel and golf. During the winter months, they greatly enjoyed their place in Arizona.
Verna and Don were avid golfers and had a membership at Redwood Meadows Golf and Country Club. At the end of the golf season, Verna complained of a sore back. It was diagnosed as muscular pain. So, in October, off to Arizona as usual. The pain continued to worsen as time progressed. The pain increased to the point that they made the decision to return home. The night of their return, the pain was so intense that EMS was called, and Verna was taken to Emergency at Foothills Hospital in Calgary. The next morning, she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. This was shocking and startling news as Verna was a non-smoker. Being Verna, everyone she met and all who visited were greeted with a smile and her positive attitude. A
lso being Verna, she fought with everything she had to be with her beloved Don for as long as she could. Verna passed away peacefully in her sleep at Agapé Hospice on the afternoon of March 20, 2020 in the company of her brother Murray and her sister Lorna as Don held her hand and told her how much he loved her.
She is survived by her soulmate and beloved husband Don Wallace – Cochrane, AB; her brother Murray Friesen – Cochrane, AB; her brother Allan Friesen (Carola) – Lethbridge, AB; and niece Caitlin Friesen – Austin TX; her sister Lorna (Peter) Pankratz and nephew Colin Pankratz – Winnipeg, MB, and her brother Brian Pelechaty – Flin Flon, MB. Verna was predeceased by her parents Ed and Nettie Friesen – Grand Forks, B.C.
A private family service will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank Cochrane Homecare and Cochrane EMS for their assistance during the brief times Verna was at home. Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Foothills Medical Centre, of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and of the Agapé Hospice for their extraordinary compassion and care. A special thank you to Dr. Catherine McKenna and Dr. Eglee Gimon for their caring and guidance during Verna’s final days. Lastly, thank you to all our friends and extended family for their prayers, love and support during this difficult journey.
If friends so desire, a donation in memory of Verna may be made to Lung Cancer Canada or to the Agapé Hospice would be appreciated. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Verna’s obituary at McInnisandHolloway.com. In living memory of Verna Wallace, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
