Velma Marie Parsons

Mom was born on March 11, 1939, in Sunnyside , Newfoundland and Labrador, to Joseph and Elise Luther. She was the youngest of seven children, with four sisters and two brothers. She grew up in a close family where life was not always easy, but where there was plenty of love, laughter, stories and memories that stayed with her throughout her life.

Mom married our Dad, Edgar James Parsons, at a young age and devoted herself to raising their family. She was the mother of six children, two sons and four daughters, one of whom sadly passed away in infancy. For many years, Mom stayed home to raise her children and create a loving home for her family.

When Dad developed arthritis and was no longer able to work, Mom stepped up and began working outside the home to help support her family. She was never afraid of hard work and held several different jobs over the years, eventually working at National Sea Products.

In 1985, Mom and our family left Newfoundland and moved to Fort McMurray, where she continued to work and build a new life for her family. Over the years, she worked in several different roles, including at McMurray Gospel Assembly, with the City of Fort McMurray, and at Signal Road Medical Clinic. Whatever she did, Mom gave it her best and was always willing to work hard and do whatever was needed for her family.

In 1996, Mom suffered a major stroke that left her with significant challenges with her speech and mobility. Through determination, courage and an incredible amount of perseverance, she worked hard to regain both. Her strength allowed her to become independent again.

Less than a year later, Mom lost the love of her life, our Dad, becoming a widow at just 58 years old. Once again, she faced a tremendous loss, but she continued forward with the same strength and resilience that had carried her through so many challenges in life.

Mom lived independently at Legion Manor for many years before moving to Rotary House in 2014. She loved her time there, making friends and enjoying the many social activities. In 2020, she moved to Spruce Grove to be closer to her children, and in 2021 she found her final home at the Westview Hospital and Continuing Care.

Mom settled in and made meaningful friendships with both residents and staff, many of whom became like family to her. We are incredibly grateful for the kindness, compassion and loving care she received there.

Above all, Mom was a woman of faith, family, perseverance and home. She worked hard, loved deeply and endured many difficult seasons, but always found a way to keep going. The home she helped create for her family, the love she gave so freely, and the strength she showed throughout her life will remain a lasting part of who she was to us.

Mom was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife and sister. She will be deeply missed by her children, Wade (Carmie), Glenn (Bernice), Diane, Lisa (David), and Cindy (Bryan); and by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Keri (Colin) Janai, Brylee, Aksel, Jay (Ivy), Ben, Isla, Danielle, Troy, Avril, Michelle (Rob), Rachel, Reid, William, Tori (Devon), Tanner (Emilie) Georgia, Kaitlin (Carter), Levi, Noah, and Shannon (Cam).

She will also be lovingly remembered by her extended family and friends, and by all those whose lives she touched along the way.

We will always remember Mom for her kindness, courage, strength, perseverance and the love she gave so generously to her family. Her life was not always easy, but she faced every challenge with determination and continued to love, care and provide for those around her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 17, at 2:30 p.m. at Parkland Funeral Services, 3502 44 Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta. Interment will follow on Monday, September 21, at the Abasand Cemetery in Fort McMurray.

Rest peacefully, Mom. You were deeply loved, and you will never be forgotten. ❤️