Obituary of Daphne Stiles

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a great mother, homemaker and pilgrim. She has lived a full life, finishing all the work God gave her to do, and has departed to be with her Saviour Jesus. Daphne was born in Paignton, Devon, England and grew up in the nearby seaside town of Torquay. Her family gave her an early introduction to domestic life by giving her many chores at their hotel. She was educated at an all girls grammar school where she excelled in languages, winning prizes in German, French and Latin. Daphne left for London after high school to put her keen instinct for the right expression to work in the publishing industry. After six years she came to Toronto, Canada to live bigger adventures while working for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Further experiments living in Los Angeles and San Francisco were tried, and plans were made for New Zealand too. On route she came to Calgary in 1963 where she met Donald at young adult groups at Knox United Church and the YMCA. They were married in 1964 at Knox and have lived in Calgary ever since except for three and a half years in Houston, Texas, courtesy of a transfer by Texaco. Their middle son, Philip, was born there. Daphne was faithful to her family, bearing many burdens to help them all overcome life’s hardships. She persevered through years of arthritis and other ailments with courage and grace. She embraced this little outpost of civilization called Calgary as much as a cultured and sophisticated citizen of a great empire could. She is grateful for the decades of camaraderie offered by her church friends at St Andrew’s United and several other places of worship about this city. She is survived by her husband Donald, and three sons, Andrew (Monica), Philip and Geoffrey; as well as a sister-in-law, and a niece and nephew in England. Many thanks to the staff of the Mayfair Care Centre who have looked after Daphne since October 2007. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to St. Andrew’s United Church, 924 Heritage Drive S.W., Calgary, AB T2V 2W7, towards a new stove for the community kitchen, or to the Alzheimer Society, No. 201, 222 – 58 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church on Tuesday, December 30 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded through . In living memory of Daphne Stiles, a tree will be planted in Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 Bannister Road S.E. Telephone: 403-256-9575.