Obituary of Alma Caroline Merrick

Alma Caroline Merrick, beloved wife of Bob of Calgary, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2008 at the age of 85 years. Alma was born in St. John’s Newfoundland and was extremely proud of her Newfoundland heritage. She met Bob during World War ll and they enjoyed sixty-five wonderful years of marriage. Moving for the last time to Calgary in 1967, they enjoyed stays in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Ontario. Alma was a stay at home Mom. After her children were grown she began her volunteer life at the Rockyview General Hospital. Starting in the ER, she soon moved to the nursery. Alma knit thousands of hats for her darling new babies and several layettes for the Rockyview’s first newborn of the year. On January 24, 2008 while in Rosedale Hospice, Alma was presented with both her 8000 hour and 20 year pins from her beloved Rockyview General Hospital. Alma was very active in her church, beginning with Sunday School, CGIT and later on with various ladies groups in St. John’s, NL, Eganville, ON and finally St. Matthews United Church in Calgary. During a recent visit to her home church (George Street) in St. John’s she discovered a picture of her CGIT group taken in 1938, a copy of which now hangs in her home. Alma was a very active curler, who along with her rink of Peggy Lee, Audrey Gateman and Jeanette Morstead skipped her team to an eight ender on January 5, 1976 at the Glencoe Curling Club during the ladies city play-downs. She also loved golfing, bridge and camping. She especially enjoyed Christina Lake, BC and spent many summers camping there. Alma is survived by the love of her life, Bob; her daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Wayne Dixon, Lynn and Craig Sampsel, Gail and Jerry Hilton and Donna Davies; and by her son and daughter-in-law Bob and Karyn Merrick. She leaves behind her greatest legacy, her eleven grandchildren, David (Pam), Ian (Marilyn), Trina (Trevor), Dan (Keri), Kari, Rob (Natalie), Alison, April, Steve (Marnie), Katie, Mallory and her nine great-grandchildren Sarah, Rachel, Emily, Ben, Lauren, Mollie, Matthew, Calvin and Donivan. Funeral Services will be held at St. Matthew’s United Church (2039 – 26A Street S.W.) on Saturday, March 8 , 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. As a tribute to Alma’s benevolent spirit, memorial tributes may be made directly to Hospice Calgary Society, #900, 833 – 4 Avenue S.W. T2P 3T5, Calgary, AB Telephone: (403) 263 – 4525. Bob and his family would like to thank the marvelous staff at the Rosedale Hospice and Home Care Calgary for their help in making Alma comfortable during her illness. In living memory of Alma Merrick, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.