Lynne Kowalenko

(Donna) Lynne Kowalenko (nee Humphries) of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully at home on January 13, 2026, from cancer, at age 67. Lynne was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in October, 2023 and tolerated very well a major surgery and five different regimens of chemotherapy over two years. Don and Lynne were able to travel a fair amount over those years. But Lynne took a sudden turn for the worse at the end of November, 2025, from which she never fully recovered, despite the incredible care over the two years from people associated with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, now the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the Foothills Hospital and finally the Palliative Home Care Unit and Community Paramedics who made Lynne’s passing at home possible, for all of whom Lynne and Don were always most appreciative.

Lynne was born to Ken and Shirley (nee Wallis) Humphries at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary on December 1, 1958, just two blocks from both the Humphries’ family printing business and home in Mission.

Lynne started school at Jennie Elliot Elementary School in Lakeview, but finished her grade schooling at the Springbank schools, when her family moved to an acreage just west of Calgary off Highway 8, in 1968.

Lynne was raised as part of the First Alliance Church family, where she met Don Kowalenko. They both attended the University of Calgary, where Lynne graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1980, initially teaching at a school with the Calgary Board of Education. Lynne was one of the three initial teachers at Glenmore Christian Academy (GCA) when it started on Glenmore Trail in 1981. Lynne took leave the entire next school year to teach in Lima, Peru. When she returned, she resumed teaching at GCA for the remainder of her 4 decade teaching career, taking a break to raise (but home-school through to grade six) her daughters and do a bit of teaching at Trinity Christian School in Southeast Calgary.

Lynne and Don were married at First Alliance on July 28, 1984. But in 1979, they had already become heavily involved in a daughter church started in the south end of Calgary, eventually called Southview Alliance, where they have remained active members ever since. Over the past 45 years, Lynne has co-led numerous ministries at or associated with Southview Church, including the youth group (Adult Youth Fellowship, with Don), ladies’ group (Ladies’ Morning Break), adult fellowship (Southview Alive), children’s choir (King’s Kids), summer camp (Camp Chamisall, as “Zest”), small-groups, table groups at the Alpha Course and children’s Sunday School.

Lynne and Don were blessed to adopt three daughters, each as infants: Alison Judith in 1992, Jaimie Lynne in 1994 and Megan Brenda in 1996. Those adoption experiences convinced Lynne and Don that God’s perfect plan for their married life has been far better than their own.

Besides her father, Ken Humphries of Priddis, AB (age 92), Lynne leaves Don, her husband of 41 years, and three adult daughters and their husbands and seven granddaughters: Alison and Scott Ayars of Caron, SK, with Ryla, Kannon and Taytum; Jaimie and Seth Roemmele of Claresholm, AB, with Kinsley and Georgia; and Megan and Danton Stickel of Okotoks, AB, with Layna-Mae and Lilly. Lynne also leaves five siblings (and spouses): Terry (and Terri-Lynn) Humphries; Brenda Humphries; Judy (and Darrell) Young; Michael (and Robin) Humphries; all of Calgary; and Dan Humphries (and Sue) of Sooke, BC, together with 15 nieces and nephews (plus spouses), and 22 great-nieces and nephews. In addition, Lynne leaves Don’s two siblings (and spouses): Jayne (and Mark Burnham) and Paul (and Sharon) Kowalenko, together with 7 nieces and nephews (plus spouses), 12 great-nieces and nephews, all of Calgary. Lynne was deeply loved and admired by each one.

Lynne was predeceased by her mother Shirley Humphries in 2016, her father-in-law Edward Kowalenko in 2017, her and Don’s son-in-law Caleb Bryce in 2020, and her mother-in-law Louise Kowalenko in 2021.

Lynne’s departure from us inaugurated her arrival into the very presence of Christ Jesus, whom she has trusted and followed as her saviour and lord since she was a young girl. And so, great sorrow and great joy dance together. We will gather to experience and express both at Lynne’s funeral at Southview Alliance church at 10 am on Thursday, January 22, 2026. A link to the live stream of Lynne’s funeral will be available here in the days in advance. A link to a recording will be available here in the days following.

If friends choose, donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Southview Alliance Church Calgary for any of the following ministries with which Lynne was involved and committed: Camp Chamisall, Global Advance Missions Fund of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, or The Evangelical Alliance Mission of Canada (TEAM).