Obituary of Eileen Marie FERGUSON

April 8, 1940 – Diamond City, Alberta December 8, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta Eileen Marie Ferguson (nee Lyon) passed away from cancer on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at Rosedale Hospice in Calgary, with her family surrounding her. Eileen was born in Lethbridge at the Sir Alexander Galt Hospital on April 8, 1940. She grew up in the small hamlet of Diamond City near Lethbridge, attending high school in nearby Picture Butte followed by training as a nurse at St. Michael’s in Lethbridge. After graduating, Eileen married her high school sweetheart, Gordon Ferguson, in 1961. They moved to Calgary to pursue their careers, Gordon with the Calgary Police Service. They raised two children, Doug and Karen, and were married for nearly 47 years until cancer took Gordon in 2008. As she forged a life without him, Eileen gained strength from the support of her family and friends. She joined the Southwood United Church and volunteered to help homeless shelters. She rediscovered her love of golf and continued her passion for gardening. Eileen’s greatest joy was her family. She adored her kids and grandkids with all her heart. When she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August 2014, Eileen was more concerned about her family’s welfare than her own and worried about how they would cope without her. She tried her best to remain with her loved ones as long as she could, receiving treatments at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. When it became clear the treatments were no longer helping, she was admitted to the Rosedale Hospice in Calgary, where she met and was cared for by angels on earth who made her last six weeks of life comfortable and safe. She passed away peacefully, with her family surrounding her. Gone before her were her parents, Harold and Mary Lyon, and her brothers Eric, Lloyd and Ken. Eileen is survived by her son, Doug (Debbie); her daughter, Karen (Darren); her granddaughter Melissa (Jason); her grandson, Sean (Avery); her sister, Shirley (Norman); and sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews and numerous cherished friends. A celebration of this inspirational woman’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at McInnis and Holloway’s Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 Bannister Rd. S.E., Calgary. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted at the Rosedale Hospice (tel. 403-263-4525), or the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (tel. 403-521-3723). The family would like to take this time to personally thank Dr. Cynthia Card and her nurse, Carolyn, at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, as well as the numerous staff at the outpatient chemotherapy clinic. You helped keep Eileen in our lives at least a year longer. Thanks as well to Alison, Darin and Ray, and all the nursing and volunteer staff at Rosedale Hospice. Thanks as well to Dr. Lemieux for making Eileen’s journey as comfortable as possible. The Ferguson/Lundy family will never forget any of you. In living memory of Eileen Ferguson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: 403-256-9575.