Thelma will always be deeply loved and near to the hearts of her family and friends. She is survived by her daughter Kathy (Tom) Sime; son Craig Kruper; grandson Bradley Sime (Jennifer Colbeck); granddaughter Laurel Redfern (Jason); her great-grandchildren Caspar and Gretel Colbeck-Sime; and many relatives. She was predeceased by her devoted husband Neil seven months ago. Our family is comforted in knowing that after 65 years of marriage they are together again.
Thelma was born on a farm in Mayerthorpe, Alberta, third in a family of four girls. She is predeceased by her sisters Mary, Evelyn, and Adele. At the young age of 14 Thelma left her home to come to Edmonton to find work. She was employed by a family to care for their children and home, then at the University Hospital, and in 1947 she found a job she would enjoy for years on the switchboard at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. She worked there until 1956 and remembered it fondly.
As a single gal Thelma travelled to Niagara Falls to stay with her sister Mary and her young family where she talked of working in a gift shop “under the falls.” Back in Edmonton Thelma enjoyed being a member of the Youth Hostler Group where she enjoyed bike riding and speed skating, both of which she enjoyed throughout her life. Thelma never strayed far from her roots or the farming life in Mayerthorpe and it always held space in her heart.
In 1955 Thelma and Neil were married and bought a home in the Strathearn community of Edmonton. Kathryn was born in 1956 followed by Craig in 1959. Thelma taught Sunday school and C.G.I.T. at Strathearn United Church and worked night shifts at the switchboard. In 1965 they would build a new home in Aspen Gardens where they would live until 2014.
Thelma enjoyed bowling, curling, golfing, and she was an avid daily walker. The activity that provided her greatest pleasure though was her garden. She was raised on a farm in the thirties and her family was dependant on their garden for vegetables and fruits in the summer and canned produce in the winter. When her family was small it was a haven to her, a place to escape to enjoy some solitude while weeding and being serenaded by the birds. Over the years Thelma learned many things about gardening. Plan to share the raspberries and saskatoons with the robins as they will just help themselves anyways. Always plant extra peas and carrots for small visitors. Don’t be upset if a late frost kills some plants, just reseed and hope for a late fall. Thelma considered her garden to be a place of miracles and she flourished in it.
Thelma lived a life of service and gave so much to so many. She made her home, church and community a much better place. The list of volunteer positions she held is a lengthy one but among the longest held were at Stage Polaris, Festival of Trees, Operation Friendship Seniors Society, and Southminster -Steinhauer United Church where she especially loved being a part of the annual Christmas Cookie Walk and May garage sale.
Thelma was an adored Grandma and played a major role in her grandchildren’s lives. She had endless energy and a sense of fun and her love will accompany them always and forever.
The simplest pleasures brought great joy to Thelma and she had an uncanny ability to find happiness in everyday activities. She taught us to marvel at the colors of the sky at sunrise and sunset, enjoyed cloud watching, and the changing phases of the moon. Thelma couldn’t wait to hear the honking of the Canadian geese overhead returning home in the springtime and she celebrated each new bloom on her favourite sweet peas, her birth flower. She loved a competitive game of Scrabble or crib, treasure hunting at garage sales, and often caught you off guard with her quick wit. Thelma loved contesting and over the years won hundreds of prizes and experiences that provided her family with unexpected gifts and memories. She loved to travel and of all the places she visited she loved nothing more than a good road trip in their Chevy GetAway van to explore golf courses and campgrounds near and far.
For the past 2 ½ years Thelma lived at the Hardisty Care Centre here in Edmonton. Our family would like to express our profound gratitude to the staff for your kind and gentle care of Thelma. Your concern for our family was always a comfort and over the difficult circumstances the past year has burdened us all with we have nothing but accolades for your dedication to providing the best care.
Thelma has left us with a legacy of love, appreciation for all we have, and genuine concern for others. On April 14, just 3 weeks ago on her 94th birthday, she said to me “It’s wonderful. I could not have asked for anything more”. What a glorious statement to sum up a well-lived and loved life. Rest easy now mom.
Cremation has taken place. Donations in tribute to Thelma may be made to Operation Friendship Seniors Society, an organization both Thelma and Neil volunteered with, or any charity that is meaningful to you.
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