In Memoriam – 2014
John Robertson
1961 – September 4, 2014
John David Robertson passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, September 4, 2014, at the age of 53 years. John leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Jessie “Anne” Maier; brother-in-law, Garth Maier; nephews: Matthew, Andrew and Daniel, “his three boys,” as he called them; as well as numerous cousins and a close friend and caregiver, Dixie Zimmerman. John was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Mary Robertson. John was born in Medicine Hat on June 27, 1961. He attended George P. Vanier School, the Kinsmen Training Centre and CORE. He was a kind and peaceful person who loved spending time with his family, bowling, swimming, travelling, being at Friendship Group and Core, listening to country music and watching sports. John was a proud spectator at his nephews’ games and a member of Westminster United Church.
Memorial donations in John’s name may be made directly to the Palliative Care Unit of the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, 666 – 5th Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6 or Westminster United Church, 101 – 6th Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1G7 or to CORE, 412 – 3rd Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0H1.
Gordon Vaughan
1926 – May 23, 2014
Gordon James Vaughan passed away on Friday, May 23, 2014, at the age of 88 years, beloved husband of Roberta “Bobbie” Vaughan and predeceased by his first wife Jean on May 10, 1983.
As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 20143, Kensington Post Office, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8M4 or to the Canadian Cancer Society #102 Crestwood Square One, 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z8; or to the Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation, 666 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4H6.
To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Gordon Vaughan.
Lily McDougall
1924 – April 28, 2014
Lily Elizabeth McDougall of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late David McDougall, passed away on Monday, April 28th, 2014 at the age of 90 years.
Lily leaves to cherish her memory three sons, David (Margaret) McDougall, Robert McDougall, and Gary (Denise) McDougall; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Brennan, Ashley and Brittney; one sister, Molly (Andy) Clovechok; one brother-in-law, Walter Burgess; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Lily was predeceased by her parents, David and Annie Smith; one sister, Doreen Burgess; two brothers-in-law, John (Kay) McDougall and Albert (Bud) McDougall; and two sisters-in-law, Marion (Ron) Moore and Evelyn (Don) Irwin.
Lily’s last residence was Riverview Care Centre which really became “home” to her. The family would like to thank the Riverview staff for their loving care and compassion and for taking such good care of mom during her time there.
Norma Gaffney
1915 – Mar 17, 2014
Mrs. Norma Eloise Gaffney, beloved wife of the late, Mr. Sidney Gaffney, passed away peacefully at the Riverview Care Centre, Medicine Hat, AB., on Monday, March 17, 2014, at the age of 98 years. Norma was born and raised in Hoosier, SK., and completed her grade 12 schooling there. She attended both Bedford Road Collegiate and Robertson Business College in Saskatoon, SK., completeing a secretarial program. Norma married the love of her life, Sidney Gaffney sharing many timeless years together. She was a devote and faithful member of the Westminster United Church. Norma was the “Talk Of The Town”, a noon-hour talk show she hosted on CHAT-TV for a number of years. She may be most remembered as a sales clerk in the Darling Dress Shop, where her fondness of hats and high heel shoes became a reality. Some of her favorite past times included crafts, knitting and oil painting, as well as a keen interest in hockey, baseball and curling. Norma was a life-time member of the Medicine Hat Curling Club and belonged to the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending holidays with family and going camping and fishing with Sidney in Elkwater.
Norma will be forever remembered in the hearts of her sister, Lois Fairbairn; brother, Larry Hubbs; sister-in-law, Tina Hubbs as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Sidney Gaffney; parents, Charles and Ethel Hubbs; brothers, Roy (Isabelle) Hubbs, Gordon (Eleanor) Hubbs, Lloyd Hubbs; sister-in law, Esther Hubbs and brother-in-law, Dalton Fairbairn.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Norma’s name may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, #124, 430-6 Avenue S.E. Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2S8 or to a charity of one’s own choice.
Viola Foster
1916 – Feb 27, 2014
Mrs. Viola Foster passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at the age of 98 years.
Vi’s memory will live on in the hearts of her children, Jim (Judy), Don, Diane Dewalt, Dave (Marilyn), Chuck (Gail), Stephen, Janis (Richard) Entem as well as thirteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Bert Askew and five nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer Foster; parents, Grey and Lillian Askew; sister, Gwen Askew; brother, Verne Askew; son-in-law, Sam Dewalt and an infant son, Michael.
Vi was born in Fort MacLeod and grew up in Medicine Hat. She graduated from Alexandra High School and from the Medicine Hat Hospital School of Nursing (Class of 1938). Vi loved her job caring for people, and continued to nurse until she married Elmer in 1943. She was a long-time member of Westminster United Church and a Charter Member of both the UCW and the Hill Seniors.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Viola may be made directly to the Medicine Hat SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8 or to Aj’s Loan Cupboard, P.O. Box 45006, McKenzie Postal Outlet, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 7H3.
Margaret Anne Mattson
1928 – Feb 22, 2014
Margaret Anne Mattson passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Home Carmel Hospice on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at the age of 86 years. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Alvin Mattson, in August of 2013. Left to cherish Marg’s memory are her four children, Maureen Oster, Gordon (Cheryl) Mattson, Janice (Wes) Archer and Wayne Mattson (Sharla Butler). She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Simonne Flynn (Medicine Hat), Ruth Gallagher (Redwood City, CA.), Irene Duncan (Winnipeg, MB.), Joyce Cutts (Niagara Falls, ON.), Enid (Bob) Plumb (Smokey Lake, AB.) and Joyce Mattson (Medicine Hat).
Her memory will be treasured in the hearts of her 11 grandchildren, Jennifer, Stacey, Melanie (Steve), Heather (Jason), Rhianna (Will), Brennan (Dyan), Melinda (Neil), Ashley (Tyler), Alexandra, Danika and Cian as well as 16 great-grandchildren. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Leon and Etta Flynn; sister, Marion (Bill) Graham; brothers, Leonard (Leone) Flynn and Lyle Flynn; grandson, Jason Oster and son-in-law, Gordon Oster.
Margaret was born and raised in Medicine Hat and worked at Maple Leaf Mills until marrying the love of her life, Alvin, following his return from the war. They made Medicine Hat their home where they raised their four children. She was a dedicated and loving mother and caring for her family was her greatest love and ultimate achievement. Margaret loved family gatherings, long walks and was a valued lifetime member of Westminster United Church. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 102 Crestwood Square One, 1865 Dunmore Road S.E. Medicine Hat, AB., T1A 1Z8; St. Joseph’s Home Carmel Hospice, 156 – 3 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, AB., T1A 5M1 or to the Westminster United Church Memorial Fund.
Ronald Earl Scharf
1932 – Jan 28th, 2014
Ronald Earl Scharf, soul mate of Donna for 58 years next Tuesday and loving father to daughter, Jody (Gord) Merkel and Tim (deceased), passed away on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014 at the age of 82 years. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kim (Dwight) Layton, Kelley (Evan) Gavelin and Kody (Robyn) Merkel. Papa to Rylee, Auston and Deikon Layton; Dharma Gavelin and step-grandchildren, Kayden and Nolan Gavelin. Ron is also survived by his sister, Beverly (Jim) Wiseman; sister-in-law, Mary Scharf; Donna’s family, Bobbi Wiebe, Mary Dunston and Linda Hepfner; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Roy and Rene Scharf. He is also predeceased by his brothers, Bruce and Barry.
Ron was in the RCAF for 5 years, and then worked at CPR. He went to university for an education degree as an adult student at the age of 42 years. He taught at Fort Smith, NWT, Hanna, AB and Crescent Heights High School. His love of sports and kids led to him coaching football, first in Moose Jaw and then he started a junior football team at Crescent Heights High School, and then on to the senior team. He was also a volunteer fitness instructor at the YMCA for over 10 years. Ron is a member of Westminster United Church and a Life Member at Connaught Golf Course. Donna and Ron travelled extensively, always with golf clubs in tow.
Francis Glen Grozell
March 25th, 1937 – Jan 28th, 2014
Mr. Francis Glen Grozell, beloved husband of Barb Grozell of Medicine Hat, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, at the age of 76 years. Along with Barb, his loving wife of almost 50 years, left to cherish Glen’s memory are his two children, Kelly and Kim; two sisters, Myrel and Joyce; three brothers, Mel, Roy and George; very good friends, Dayle, Cheryl and Curtis as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Glen was predeceased by his siblings, Everett, Mabel, Archie, Eric and Wayne.
On March 25, 1937, the second youngest of 16 children was born to Joseph and Myrel Grozell. Growing up in Bengough, SK., Glen lived a small town life until he started various jobs from Seismic to plumbing to Dare cookies. He got his call from Telus, formerly AGT, in 1975 and in 1976, relocated his family from Calgary to Redcliff where he eventually retired after 20+ years of service. Glen enjoyed curling in his earlier years and many rounds of golf at the Redcliff Golf Course where he celebrated his first and only “hole in one”. He was an avid “early bird” coffee go-er, meeting with his group at Tim’s every morning at 5:00 a.m. Glen is best known for his repetitive story telling but will be missed for his sense of humor, kind words, big heart and “repetitive story telling”.
If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Glen may be made directly to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 124, 430 – 6 Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8.