Edith “Edee” Pauline Harel of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta passed away on March 11, 2020. She is survived by her loving family; Chuck, Cindy (Mike) Cook and Tammy (Duncan) Watson; grandchildren, Ron (Sapphire) Cummins, Chris (Terra) Harel, Deejay (Leanne) Andrews, Brandy (Joe) Andrews-Fertuck, Brandon Harel-Watson, Samantha (Shelby) MacIntyre and Bryanna Watson; sisters, Shirley Scanlan and Bev Wilcox and brother, Reginald Bartlette; as well as eleven great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Charles Harel; son, Tim Harel; sister, Connie Phillips and brother, William Bartlett. Family and friends, near and far knew Edith or Edee as a great lady: one who was always there as a shoulder to lean on and a great cook who could whip up a 3-course meal in less than it took to boil water for a cup of tea.
Edee was born in Marchand, Manitoba, the eldest of six children. Even as a very young girl she had style, convincing her mom and dad she really needed black patent high heel shoes to go with the new outfit her mother sewed for her. Hence, became a lifetime of always “looking like a million bucks”. Still barely a child, she was singing Ave Marie as a soloist at Christmas mass. At sixteen, Edith moved to Winnipeg where she met her husband Charlie. They had adventures for the first five years of their marriage, working in mining towns to train stops until Charlie started working for Sherritt Gordon Mines in Ottawa. That started their trek in 1954 to Fort Saskatchewan – their forever home and the birth of their first child. Edith was always a wife and a mother first, however she had so many talents she shared with many. Singing was her first love from church when she was young, to many venues with her husband playing the guitar, mandolin, piano or a full band accompanying her throughout the rest of her life. Up until her mid-eighties, if there was a place to sing, she was up on stage. She loved curling and was a Skip in the Ladies league up until her 60’s, and never missed the Scott’s tournament of Hearts or the Brier on TV. Edith was an Avon Lady for almost three decades – several times earning top awards. Edee loved to host the ladies for their weekly Bridge games and she was quite the card shark. Her sewing skills were bar none. When there was a new fashion trend – within a week she had sewn herself or her daughters a new outfit! She loved her home and her life with her husband and kids. She was most happy when friends and family were gathering at her home, in her kitchen and she was feeding them……with love, a tender ear, and her good cooking.
A Celebration of Life and Interment will be held at a later date, due to global circumstances. Donations in her memory are gratefully accepted to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent through www.riverviewfuneral.com.
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