Vera May Wallis

Another limb of the John & Margaret Thompson family tree has fallen. Vera is the tenth of 10 children being predeceased by her parents and her siblings -- Twin brothers, Margaret Taylor, Ernest Thompson, Robert (Bob) Thompson, Geraldine (Gerry) Garvin, Winnifred (Win) Coleman, Violet (Vitie) Hughes-Games, and a baby brother. However, the tree will continue to branch out and flourish by her surviving families: her loving husband, Bert ('Dad'), daughters, Patricia (Gunther) and family, Laurie, Jennifer (Leon) and Kai) and Virginia - Ginny (Brian) and family, Bridget (Tim) Helena, Cara (Donovan) Xavier and baby-to-be, Jeremy (Shawna) Avery and Payton, Krystal (Kris) Noah and Izaak, and Alicia (James) as well as sister-in-law, Kathy Thompson and brother-in-law, Arthur Hughes-Games, numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews and relatives in both Scotland and Australia. Vera was born Saturday, October 17th, 1925 at the family home of 2022 - 35th Avenue SW, Calgary making her a proud Native Calgarian. She was named after her Mother's best friend, Vera Hopkins with whom she kept in contact with over the years. As a young lady of 17 years she met the love of her life, Archibald (Bert) Wallis while playing softball. Bert courted Vera for three years before they were married during one of his leaves from army duty on December 15th, 1945. They started their married life in Vancouver, BC, soon after the first of their two daughters was born -- Patricia Ann, October 31, 1946. In 1949 they decided to return to Calgary residing first with family members and then on their own on 23rd Ave SW before purchasing their first home in the Village of Bowness. In 1954 their second daughter, Virginia May, was born on October 24th. Vera and Bert resided at this home for 57 years before moving to the Lodge at Valley Ridge three years ago. Mom was the 'Betty Crocker' of her time -- the baker of the best shortbread and other dainties as well as pies. She loved to bake and share these delicious calorie filled goodies during her many tea times, shortbread her most famous recipe. Whenever someone called to say they were coming for a visit Mom was quick to invite them for tea. The tablecloth was put on, set with her china teacups and plates and there was always a plate of goodies to enjoy. If someone had dropped by and it was near the dinner hour, Mom was sure to invite them saying "there's always another potato in the pot". She was also a classic homemaker -- ironing, polishing the hardwood floors and the silverware, as well as waxing the linoleum floors, vacuuming, dusting, shopping, cooking and washing in the old wring washer and hanging the clothes out in an orderly fashion to dry. She lived in a routine world and gave us the essentials for living -- the things that really matter the most -- good values of being honest, caring, sharing and loving, being generous and kind to everyone. In Mom's spare time she did embroidery (calling it her fancy work) until her eyesight became poor, then she started knitting making afghans for the grand and great grandchildren. Mom was also a great game player -- cards, board games, and, of course, Bingo being her most favorite. Many friendships were formed through Bingo playing at West Hillhurst, Guys and Dolls Club, the Bowness Community Association and cards at the Beaupre Hall, Big Hill Lodge (Cochrane) and Bowness Seniors Centre. They also hosted many card game evenings in their home with their neighbors. Even the night before her death she was asking to play a game of cards with us girls. Another past time was to sit and enjoy listening to the Lawrence Welk show or watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune (just like her big sister!) and figure skating being a huge favorite. She also kept up with the NHL Hockey and CFL Football teams right up until the most recent games on November 1st.Mom and Dad had a motorhome during their early retirement years and they travelled often to the west coast and interior BC, to family and friends as well as spending many weekends at Dead Man's Flats. They often travelled with nephew Larry and his wife Marna and camped at brother Ern and Winnie's Sylvan Lake campground.

Mom loved chatting with people. She made making friends her life-long activity. Friends from next door, the shops in her neighborhood, and from wherever she may be -- at the bus stop or on the bus, at the store, or at the community centre. Most recently she made many new friendships with those at the Valley Ridge Lodge. Mom also embraced many friends of both her daughter's always asking after them. She befriended Evelyn Collins (her Scottish friend) and husband, Chuck. Evelyn became her hairdresser and tea party buddy along with their dog, Tucker on many an occasion. Mom also enjoyed the once a month home-cooked meals (including the banana cream pie she made for the boys) and card playing together. You don't choose family; they are God's gift to you as you are to them. This was so true of the Thompson clan. She loved the many family gatherings with her Mother and siblings and their families. Keeping in touch by phone regularly with her sisters and journeying on the city bus or by car to her sibling’s homes was a regular routine. She enjoyed her times of having family come to have tea and visit, celebrate the many holiday times of the year as well as the many birthday parties. She was also looking forward to one more new great grandson set to arrive soon and we had many a laugh about what he should be named. She enjoyed listening to the little ones babble, watching them learn to walk, and hearing about what was going on in their lives and their accomplishments. The many phone calls, cards and letters from the grandchildren always brightened her days. Mom loved her two visits to Bonnie Scotland with her two daughters in 2004 & 2012 and then another trip that also included her niece in 2010 to visit her beloved cousin Chrissie at Crieff. She still longed for another trip overseas; however, we knew this journey wasn't meant to be. Rather, Mom allowed her family to travel with her on life's ending journey instead. Pat and Ginny's lives will be forever changed as they cared for Mom over the years and, in the end, right at her bedside holding her close and living life with her until her last breath was taken. This was an amazing gift.

Living Life

Life is not a race ~ but indeed a journey.

Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy.

Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day.

Go to church, take time for prayer.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.

Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.

Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental --

search for your purpose and do it as best you can.

Dreaming does matter.

It allows you to become that which you aspire to be

Laugh often.

Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.

Some of the best things really are free.

Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.

Forgive, it frees the soul.

Take time for yourself ~ plan for longevity.

Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment.

~By Bonnie L. Mohr~

Our family gratefully acknowledge the many wonderful people and staff at Valley Ridge Lodge -- especially Martha, Izel, and Norrie, Dr. L. Visvanatha and her receptionists Christine and Brielle; her homecare worker Jean Welsh (a wonderful Scottish lady!) and Marie Walker and Pepita Gicuhi. Also, special thanks to Dr. H. VanRooi and the Sarcee Hospice Nursing Care team And volunteers.

The family would also like to express their heartfelt thanks for all the thoughtful expressions of love and kindness by relatives near and far and friends to Mom over the years and now during this time of bereavement. In loving memory of Vera, please take the time to be with a senior or someone shut-in to have a cuppa' tea -- chat, reminisce, take them for a walk or a drive, listen to their stories, relax and enjoy one another's company. Time is a very precious gift! Please join the family for a Celebration of Vera’s Life at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220-4 Street N.W., Calgary on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Union Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial