Obituary of Carolyn Dubois SAUCIER

December 18, 1940 – Calgary, Alberta September 15, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta The family of Carolyn Anne Dubois Saucier would like to share the sad news of her unexpected death early Friday morning on September 15, 2017 at The Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, at the age of 76 years. She was born in Calgary at the Holy Cross Hospital on December 18, 1940 to Lillian and John James (Jack) Saucier, and her two older sisters Suzanne and Mary. Our father told us then that she was, “our Christmas Carol”. Living close to Earl Grey School, Carolyn attended there and met life-long friends. They have kept in touch these many years, visiting and supporting one another. She was above all a firm, loyal friend, adored by many of those who met her over the years. In Grade 3, Carol was afflicted with Perthes disease of the hip. The only known cure at that time was hospitalization at Alberta Crippled Children’s Hospital on Royal Avenue, S.W., Calgary, blocks from her home. She spent an entire year on a ward tied immobile to a wooden frame with parental visits on Sunday afternoon only. Her hip was restored. Health concerns followed her throughout her life, bravely met in every case, in every way she knew. Central High was followed by McGill University’s four year B.Sc. in Nursing. Carolyn worked for Alberta Health Care Home Nursing program and also for the Unplanned Parenthood Clinic as a counsellor for some years. Throughout her life, Carolyn shared with family and friends her passionate love of music. (As children, before the age of TV or computers, the family would gather after dinner to enjoy a Beethoven piano concerto or arias from opera). She adored from earliest childhood dogs, cats, trees, birds and beautiful flowers of every kind. She was in the words of one friend, a “brilliant, passionate, courageous” advocate for animal welfare, domestic and wild, the environment, and human rights. Our politicians – civic, provincial, and federal – all received letters from her on a regular basis. Sometime they replied! She loved to laugh, taking every opportunity to exercise her sense of humour, (Her sister found her one evening in a crowded auditorium by following her laughter). Carolyn leaves a loving and grieving family: Tim Larson of Dublin, California; Suzanne Scheidl (nee Anderson) and husband Peter and their children Ethan and Sarah; Ashlin Mary Ray, her fiancé Brad Kercher, her daughters Alexa and Isabella; Megan Louise Saucier Ray, and her husband Darryl Kowalchuk, their children Chantel, Charlotte and Devin. Carolyn also leaves her two sisters, as mentioned: Suzanne (Saucier) Colter of Edmonton, her daughters Jan and Barb and their children; Mary (Dover) Saucier of Calgary and children John, Carolyn, Julia and Sarah. Carolyn is predeceased by her first husband David Anderson of Vancouver and Dr. Professor Don Ray of Calgary of her second marriage and her nephew Donald Allan Colter. “The ideals which have lighted my way and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty, and truth.” — Albert Einstein. In gratitude, we say to our beloved mother, sister, aunt and friend, “Goodbye for now. We will miss you more than words can say. Well done brave pilgrim.” A Celebration of Carolyn’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB) on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the Funeral Home. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers Carolyn would have wished any memorial donations be made to Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Southern Alberta), 88 Canada Olympic Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta T3B 5R5, Telephone; 403-232-6686, website; The family would also like to acknowledge the wonderful staff of the Rocky View Hospital. In living memory of Carolyn Saucier, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB Telephone: 403-256-9575.