Obituary of Edna Bernice HILL(nee Frank)

August 5, 1931 – Bateman, Saskatchewan
November 12, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

Edna Bernice Hill passed away in the company of family on November 12, 2019 at the age of 88 years.

As one of fifteen children born to Henry and Christina Frank, Edna grew up on the family farm in Bateman, SK where she and her siblings were raised with a strong devotion to family and a very strong hard work ethic.

Edna relocated to Moose Jaw, SK in the early 1950s where she attended the Moose Jaw General Hospital School of Nursing.  She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1953. While attending Nursing School, she met her dear friend Eileen.  It was Eileen who introduced Edna to Russell 'Earl' and set them up on a blind date.  It was meant to be and on May 8, 1954, Earl and Edna were married.

Earl and Edna relocated to Brandon, MB where they welcomed sons, David, Derrick, Darryl and daughter Brenda.  While living in Brandon, Edna worked as an ER nurse.  The family relocated to Winnipeg, MB and son, Brian was born.

On relocating to Edmonton in 1968, Edna changed the focus of her career to geriatric care and worked in nursing home care.  She worked mostly night shifts so she could be home during the day as much as possible for her family.

The family relocated to Calgary in 1972 and Edna began working at Chinook Nursing Home and shortly after became Assistant Director of Nursing and then Director of Nursing until she retired in 1982.  Edna soon found that retirement was not for her and embarked on her second career in horticulture and retail until she retired for the second time in 2018, a month before her 87th birthday.

Edna was devoted to her family and friends, passionate about her gardening (especially her orchids) and even during her end of life, she thought of her loved ones above herself. She will always be remembered for her love of family, loyalty to friends and her tremendous sense of humor which she gifted to her children.  Her kind, gentle nature and warm smile will be deeply missed.

The family home always had an 'open door' policy and there was always treats for the neighborhood kids, a place to stay and meals for those who needed it and a second family home to family who relocated to Calgary.

She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-five years, Russell 'Earl'; her children, David (Debbie), Darryl (Terri), Brenda, Brian; grandchildren, Jennifer, Shaun (Dawn), Jared, Darcy (Katrina), Shay (Kenzie), Lindsay, Samantha; and great-grandchildren, Cheyanne, Lily, Kenzie, Cohen and Juniper.  Edna was predeceased by her son Derrick in 2013.

Edna is also survived by her brothers, Henry and Otto (Norma); sisters, Addie, Eleanor (Bob), Ruth and Enid; brother-in-law Reg and sister-in-law Colleen; and a large extended family.  She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Christina; siblings and in-laws, Phil, Chris (Irene) Lizzy (George), Eva (Nick), Rose (Cecil), Del, Victor, Clifford, Grant, Jim, Velma (Russell), Evelyn and Ross (Joyce).

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on November 30, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.    A Celebration of Edna’s Life will follow. It is Edna's wish (insistence) that all family and friends attending wear color to reflect the joy she had for life. Condolences may be forwarded through www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to send flowers, it is Edna's request for no lilies.

Edna and her family would like to thank Eileen Jewitt, Eleanor Leveille, BJ and Garry Magee, Gwen Frank, Michael Stewart, the RNs and staff at RGH Unit 47 and Unit 73, the Tom Banker Cancer Centre and the many doctors who cared for Edna at RGH and Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Edna Hill. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403- 256-9575.