Obituary of Nicole Storm WERSHLER (nee Blondie)

October 20, 1970 -  Chatham, Ontario

November 10, 2020 - Calgary, Alberta

Nicole Wershler (nee Blondie), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at the age of 50 years.

Nicole was born in Chatham, Ontario on October 20, 1970, and lived in southern Ontario until 1980, when her family moved to Kamloops, BC. Nicole lived and worked in Jasper for several years, and eventually made it to Calgary, where she met Shane Wershler in late 1998, and married him in 2000 in Calgary, AB. Shane’s job led them to Ottawa - and back Calgary in 2003. Nicole worked in several industries – excelling at everything she tried. Nicole believed that she had found “her place” at Sovereign Insurance, a company that truly seemed to fit her expectations. In 2014, Nicole had one of her greatest accomplishments, and graduated from the Thompson Rivers University. She was particularly proud of becoming the “face” of Thompson Rivers University; her image was featured on posters, in movie theatres, on buses and trains - even in the Globe and Mail. Nicole used to say that she knew she had succeeded in life if she was “Googleable,” and she succeeded. She was a regular volunteer with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) as a mentor, an advocate, a speaker and activist. She focused on professional women and women in trades arriving from different parts of the world - Nigeria, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Eastern Europe. She worked on government grants and proposals with immigrant women, so they could open businesses, provide for their families, and bring other family members to Canada to work in their local business. She always took an incredible interest in “shy women who didn’t get much chance or opportunity,” so that she could create a difference in their lives, and in the process, build community integration and the local economy. Nicole had a travel bug; her memorable vacations included family camping trips, Europe with Patty, Ecuador with Cynthia, Cyprus with Shane, and numerous spring and winter trips to Mexico with her family. Nicole will be most remembered for her open and approachable nature, her grace, sparkle and her passion for life, her drive to help others, and her sharp and quick sense of humour.

Besides her loving husband Shane, Nicole is survived by her daughter Julia, her son Addison, her mother Suzanne MacDonald of Calgary, AB, her father Bruce Blondie and his partner Ellie Faubert of Port Lambton, ON, brothers, Michael Blondie of Airdrie, AB, and Roger Blondie of Mocton, NB, her sister Sarah Blondie of Stratford, ON, as well numerous cousins and friends.

Nicole had a true passion for animals – especially when she could save them, hold them, or just touch them. Her passion resulted in owning rescue dogs, hamsters and a guinea pig. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local Alberta animal rescue called Heaven Can Wait, which Nicole would greatly approve of: HTTPS://WWW.GOFUNDME.COM/F/IN-LOVING-MEMORY-OF-NICOLE-BLONDIE-WERSHLER

Due to Covid 19, the funeral service be limited to 50 (invitations will be sent), at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB). Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Nicole’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Nicole Wershler, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.