Obituary of Floretta Fern Parry

Fern Parry passed away in her sleep at the Bow View Nursing Home on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the age of 104 years, a month short of her 105th birthday. Fern was the kindest of human beings. Her memory will always be cherished by her two children, Alan and Linda (Hopey); daughter-in-law Elke; son-in-law George Hopey; grandchildren, Richard Johnson, Shannon (Geoffrey) Lyford, David, and Sybil (Trent) Rees; and her great-grandchildren, Megan, Benjamin, Sophie, Ali, Jedda, and Ayden. She will also be remembered by her former daughter-in-law, Elaine Parry Primrose and by her “step-grandchildren,” Peter (Cindy), Robert (Katharine), Richard, and Karen (Babis). Fern was predeceased by her husband Thomas Maldwyn Parry in 1992 after almost sixty years of marriage and by her very dear grandchild Roy who died in 1988. Fern was born in Peterborough, ON. She grew up in Edmonton where she met Tom at a university dance. Matters became complicated when she moved with her parents to Windsor, ON so that her father could obtain work for General Motors. Fern and Tom stayed in touch by mail until he graduated in engineering in 1929 and happily found employment at Bell Canada in London, ON, close enough for them to resume their courtship. The Great Depression ended Tom’s tenure at Bell Canada; because he was also a licensed auto mechanic he applied for and obtained a position teaching automotives at Western Canada High School in Calgary. Fern and Tom promptly moved to Calgary where they were married and lived happily ever after. Fern was a notably friendly, kind-hearted person, a wonderful listener who was always curious about other people’s stories. It is suspected, with good reason, that her husband Tom could never quite believe his good fortune in winning and marrying such a jewel of a person. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Bow View Manor, 4628 Montgomery Blvd. N.W., Calgary, AB T3B 0K7 Telephone: (403) 288-4446, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. The family wishes to express its thanks and appreciation for the caregivers at Bow View Manor who unfailingly treat Fern with kindness, consideration and personal warmth. In living memory of Fern Parry, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.