Louise Ann Wilson

September 18, 1928 – July 11, 2025

With deep love and warm remembrance, we share the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Louise Ann Wilson, who left us peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the age of 96.

Louise was born in Delisle, Saskatchewan on September 18, 1928, and spent her early childhood in Dinsmore before moving to Banff in 1944. It was there, amid the mountains, that she met Bill Wilson, the love of her life. The two were married and spent nearly 65 years together, raising five children in the heart of Banff National Park and creating a home that was equal parts lively chaos and unconditional love.

Louise was a woman of action and determination. If she had an idea — say, adding a basement at the family home on 126 Otter Street — she didn’t wait around. She just grabbed a shovel and started. Mom had made a deal with Dad (Bill): if she dug out a basement under the house, he’d hire someone to put in the cinderblock walls. He never thought she’d actually do it—but she did, one shovel at a time. To his credit, he kept his word. We ended up with a basement... and a family story that never got old.

She and Bill retired at age 60 and moved to Sidney, British Columbia, where their backyard garden — bursting with blooms and buzzing with grandkids — rivaled the Butchart Gardens in beauty and memory-making. Their ocean-view home quickly became a summer paradise for children and grandchildren alike, full of sunshine, wild laughter, and the smell of something good on the stove.

Louise was the loving and steady heart of our family. She is survived by her children: Danny (Maribeth), Tracy (Lloyd), Fione, Matt (Jeannie), and Warren (Leah); ten grandchildren: Meghan, Stephen, Tanner, Nolan, Shelby, Quinlyn, Kacie, Cody, Teaghan, and Kyle; and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom adored her.

She was an avid reader — the kind who could devour a book in a day and start another before the kettle boiled. She read right up until her final days. A passionate gardener, Louise especially loved growing peonies, and she could often be found elbow-deep in the soil with a trowel in hand and a mischievous smile. Her apricot chicken and baked macaroni were the stuff of legend, requested often and never left over.

Louise was also an active member of the Kinettes and the Order of the Eastern Star, always willing to lend her time and energy to her community. And at home, when her kids got too noisy

or out of hand, her signature phrase — “That is suffice” — said in just the right tone, would immediately bring everything (and everyone) to a halt.

After Bill’s passing in 2013, Louise stayed in her home in Victoria until she moved to Vancouver where she stayed with her son Matt and daughter-in-law Jeannie, and spent her final nine years surrounded by family, laughter, and love. Her sharp wit, no-nonsense attitude, and deep capacity for kindness stayed with her until the very end.

Louise was truly one of a kind — a devoted wife, extraordinary mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a fiercely loyal friend. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and stories that will be told for generations.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Banff at a later date, with details to be announced.