Obituary of Mona Leitch

With great sadness we announce the peacefully passing of Mona Leitch on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at the age of 90 years. Mona was born on September 7, 1916 in Hindley, Wigan, in the county of Lancashire, England. At the age of nine Mona left her beloved grandmother Worthington and boarded the ocean liner Athenia along with her mother Sarah Darbyshire and sister Nellie and journeyed to Canada to join her father Joseph Darbyshire and brothers Jack and Tommy in Nordegg, AB. It was in Nordegg she met and married Robert A. Leitch in 1938. During WWII she moved to Chathum, NB with her husband. After the war they lived briefly in Montreal, QC before returning to Alberta and settling briefly in Edmonton and High Prairie before settling permanently in Calgary. In Calgary Mona worked for Alberta Government Telephones where she spent thirty productive years, rising to the position of Group Chief Operator, before retiring in 1981. In her active retirement Mona worked as a casual with A.G.T. and then later in the home care industry. She was an active long distance walker and participated in many “miles for millions” walks. Mona also liked to sew and her children and grandchildren will also cherish the time they spent with her and her love for fine dining. We shall mourn her passing but celebrate her life. A gentle strength forever buried in the hearts that knew her, she will be sadly missed but forever treasured by her children, Don and Liz Leitch, Roy and Lillian Leitch and Richard Leitch; lovingly cherished by her grandchildren, Jeff, Wayne, Lana, Jodie (England), Bobbi, Russell (Jackie); as well as her great-grandchildren, Renee and Austin. Mona is also survived by her sister Ellen (Nellie) of Vancouver; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Tom of Winnipeg, and Jack of Edmonton, and her infant son Alex. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Poppy Fund, #1, 4539 – 6th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 3Z6, Telephone: (403) 265-6304. In living memory of Mona Leitch, 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.