Obituary of Hazel Jeanne Bentley

Jeanne died Tuesday afternoon. She had Alzheimer’s Disease. Jeanne is survived by her husband, Bob; her daughter, Pam; sister-in-law Nell Wadsworth; niece Susan Price; nephew Stephen Wadsworth; and her cousin Brent Noland. She was predeceased by her parents, Graeme and Peggy Smith. Jeanne was born in Strome, Alberta and lived there, in Edmonton and Calgary, and spent two summers at Maligne Lake near Jasper where her parents worked at the lodge. She attended Balmoral and Crescent Heights schools in Calgary, and Westglen in Edmonton. She worked as a secretary in the oil and gas industry until she moved to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1960 with her husband, Bob. Their daughter, Pam was born there. They moved back to Calgary in 1971. Jeanne was an avid volunteer as a Brownie leader in both Louisiana and Calgary at Triwood Community Centre, at the Mustard Seed, and most significantly, with the Alzheimer Society of Calgary and of Canada. After her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1981, Jeanne and ten other caregivers started the Calgary Alzheimer’s Society. Jeanne served in many capacities for the next twenty years including as President of the Calgary chapter and of the National Alzheimer Society. In 1988, she received the Louise Dean Award as top volunteer in Calgary. The Jeanne Bentley award was established by Calgary Alzheimer Society to recognize top volunteers. She also owned the shop, Calgary Ceramics, for several years where she taught ceramics, one of the many handicrafts she took pleasure in over the years. Her creations included sewing, knitting, tole painting, and cross-stitching. She played golf, gardened, and sang in her church choir at Renfrew and at Wild Rose United Church. Jeanne loved the outdoors and animals. She traveled extensively in her position with the Alzheimer Society, for her family genealogy research, and for pleasure, often accompanied by Bob or Pam. She and Bob spent several winters in Sun City, Arizona where she also sang in a church choir. She had friends everywhere she went, and she will be deeply missed by all. A Memorial Service will be held at Wild Rose United Church (1317 – 1st Street N.W.) on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes in Jeanne’s honour may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Suite 201, 222 – 58th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com The family would like to offer thanks to the staff of the Club 36 program at Harvest Hills, and to all the staff at Bethany Harvest Hills for their care of Jeanne these last three months. Thanks also to Dr. Sandra Foss, Dr. Nancy Brager and Iris. In living memory of Jeanne Bentley, 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.