Jacqueline Marion Gross

After courageously fighting several health battles, Jacquie Gross passed away in her sleep on January 26, 2026. She was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Alyce Kartz and her brother Leroy. She is survived by her loving husband Alvin of 63 years, daughter Naomi, son-in-law Jesus, grandson Logan, son Trevor, daughter-in-law Jean and grandsons Barrett and Brady, her sister Leona (Terry), brother-in-law Richard (Loy), sister-in-law Gladys (Jim) and numerous nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces, and grand-grand nieces and nephews and cousins.

Her first home was on a farm near South Edmonton and then at age 10 she moved into the city. She met Alvin at a mutual friend/relative's wedding. They were married in 1963 in the Edmonton Moravian Church. They moved to Barrhead where they built their home and lovingly raised their family. It took some time to get used to small town community life but she grew to be a big part of the cultural scene – including participating in community theatre productions both onstage and at the piano. She also loved to use her home economic skills in sewing clothes and baking and passed those skills down to her family.

Jacquie was very involved in music throughout her entire life, including playing in the Moravian youth orchestra as a teenager, was the organist at St. John’s Lutheran church for 54 years; and conducted a children’s choir at St. John’s. She was part of the original founders of the Barrhead Rotary music festival and was involved for many years in organizing and prepping students and choirs including an outstanding 33 voice boys choir at Barrhead Elementary. Her choirs were always contenders for provincial trophies and won several. She served on a provincial music curriculum committee and was one of the authors of a new Alberta Elementary Music curriculum. She was a specialist in grades 1-3 music education. She was also a private piano teacher for many years. She contributed to the betterment of countless young people’s music education.

She went back to university to complete her degree in Music Education. She studied at the University of Alberta, University of Oregon and University of Manitoba which entailed many evening and summer courses and a one year full sabbatical to complete her degree when she was a mature student.

In her retirement, Jacquie developed a love of quilting. She was president of the Barrhead Country quilters, and there wasn’t a quilt shop in western Canada she hadn’t visited at least once. Her works of art grace many homes of her relatives and friends. After downsizing from their family home of 51 years, she enjoyed being part of the social fabric of Klondike Place and later Hillcrest Lodge.

Her last months were spent in the care of the wonderful people at the Kier Care Centre. Throughout her life Jacquie bravely battled breast cancer (twice) and most recently Parkinson’s disease. Donations can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A memorial service will be held at Rose Garden Chapel, Barrhead Alberta, Friday February 6 at 1:30 pm., Rev. Dr. James Hendricksen, ELCIC presiding, followed by a lunch at the Senior’s Centre. Arrangements under the direction of Rose Garden Chapel, Barrhead, Alberta.