Edith Beatty

Edith was loved, and will always be loved, by her family, a family that meant everything to her just as she meant to us.

Edith leaves us with our cherished memories, as well as her greatest gift to us, which was in giving life and endless love to her family. Whether we called her Ma, or Mom, or Gram, or Nanna, all of us were blessed to have known her for all of these years.

But now she goes on ahead for us: survived by husband Lloyd, daughter Connie and husband Jeff, son Ross and wife Kathy, plus her grandchildren and their partners: Sara (Mike), Lisa (Mark), Katie (Ryan), Jennifer (Kevin) and namesake grandson Nielsen, as well as her great-grandchildren Jace, Ethan, Koen and Aria.

Most of all, Edith’s passing is mourned by Lloyd, her loving husband who stood beside her through all of Mom’s challenges: Dad/Poppa, we are so grateful to you, as it was only through your incredible dedication to Mom that she was able to spend her final days in her own home.

Edith inspired those of us who knew her best, as for decades she met and quietly overcame many formidable physical challenges that life seemed to keep throwing at her. It is no exaggeration to say that at times she even surprised and inspired some of her doctors, as into her 80’s she continued her ½ mile swims, three times per week, even as she lost her vision and more of her already limited mobility.

Born near Hussar Alberta into a Danish immigrant farming family, Edith was both a bit of a tomboy as well as being a pretty farm girl. Just after the war, Edith lost her beloved brother Gothard, who had fought bravely in Europe only to be felled by an accident shortly after returning home. Her love of children was kindled at the first sight of Gothard’s wartime British-born infant son Michael, who lives on today in Alberta. Later as a young woman, Edith met Lloyd, and they started their many decade journey towards building and nurturing their own family. Through life’s ups and downs, Edith and Lloyd never wavered in their dedication to their family and each other. We are so lucky to be part of such a story.

Mom wanted us to say goodbye to her extended family, especially her sister Rena and very special niece Janet, and to the many friends that she met and worked with over the years: she held dearly cherished memories of all of you. You enriched her life, as she hopes she enriched yours.

Our Mom/Grandmom/Great-grandmom’s quiet Faith in God, resounding compassion, and unwavering strength of character have inspired all of us, and will continue to do so.

At Edith’s request, no formal services or memorials will be held, but in time Edith and Lloyd will rest together in a place of special meaning known only to themselves and their family.

If you wish to make a charitable donation in memory of Edith, we would suggest that it be given to the Palliative Home Care services of Alberta Health Services, via www.calgaryhealthtrust.ca, stipulating Palliative Home Care. We are grateful for the comfort and peace provided by those fine people in Edith’s final days, helping us to say goodbye to her in her own home, surrounded by her family.