Obituary of David George Edwards WELLINGS

March 16, 1944 – Kamloops, British Columbia
December 19, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

David Wellings, beloved husband, of Stephanie Wellings (nee Gegear), of Calgary, AB passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at the age of 76 years.

David Wellings was born in Kamloops, BC to Isabel and James Wellings. He was raised in Victoria, BC, the eldest of three siblings, followed by his sister Marilyn and brother Robert. He loved to sail in his little boat and in his teens began square dancing, which he continued to do into his later life.

David graduated from the University of Victoria with his first degree, a Bachelor of Education. During his first year of teaching, he met Dorothy Bickford and they were married and had a son David and daughter Gwendoline. They moved to Calgary in 1974 to enable David to take his second degree in social work at the University of Calgary. He became a social worker, working investigations in Child Welfare. When it became evident to him that child abuse was prevalent but not being adequately addressed, he returned to U of C and got his Master’s Degree in Ed (Psych) to become the Child Sexual Abuse Consultant for Southern Alberta. He continued with Child Welfare for twenty-three years, working in Native Child Welfare for many years. Subsequently, he started his own counselling practice, which he carried on until his retirement.

David and Dorothy divorced, and through one of his many volunteer organizations, he met and married Stephanie Allan in 1992, who had two children of her own, Cathie and Michael. Together they continued their work with volunteer organizations until Stephanie joined him in his practice in 2005.

In his latter years, David suffered from Cortical Basil Degenerative Dementia but, until six month months ago, he continued to dance. One of the highlights of his life was dancing in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics. David was a kind, intelligent man who worked diligently throughout his career to help people, especially children. In this pursuit, he sometimes stepped on the toes of those in power. He was a self-described “quiet rebel”. He believed in people and their innate goodness and treated others with respect and dignity.

Among his greatest joys in life were his times with his children, stepchildren and nine grandchildren. He loved to travel, having done so extensively in Europe in his early 20’s, and latterly with Stephanie and the oldest three grandchildren. He loved to watch sports on television and he loved to laugh, his unique laugh making others join him.

David was predeceased by his parents, Isabel and James. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Stephanie, his son David (Ceci) and their two children, Ali and Gabo in Ottawa; his daughter Gwen Stone and her two girls, Anna and Alexis in New York; his stepdaughter Cathie Gardy (Don) and her two children, Jesse Minnis and Jasmine Minnis; and stepson Michael Allan (Morgan) and his two daughters, Kaeligh and Kirsten. He also leaves his brother Robert, his sister Marilyn Plamondon of Kelowna, BC, as well as Stephanie’s family in Ontario. There are many people whose lives he touched throughout his life who will also remember him fondly.

Celebration of David’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel Of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Monday, August 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on David’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. The family would like to thank the staff at Providence Care Centre and Wentworth Manor who gave him such care for the past three and a half years.

In living memory of David Wellings, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
 

David's memorial card can be viewed using this link