Obituary of Lynne Pamela ANDERSEN

May 8, 1940 – Edmonton, Alberta
January 25, 2021– Calgary, Alberta

Lynne Andersen of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday, January 25, 2021 at the age of 80 years.

Lynne (“Nuge”) grew up in Bashaw with best friends for life Lorraine and Marlene.  Two small town girls who were “initially horrified” about big city campus life at the U of A, Lynne and Lorraine adapted quickly, conveniently settling in next door to the varsity house of their future husbands, separated only by a handy hedge. After a stylish wedding to Ken in 1962, they did the rounds of the oil patch which brought them to Valleyview where she saved the life of her dear friend and pregnant next door neighbour Carol who had collapsed.

An only child, Lynne ended up in a household of males (adding sons Colin and Kirby).  She was mystified by the (mis)behavior of all her boys but turned a blind eye to a few of their transgressions (their chocolate thievery on ladies’ bridge night and the “rearranged” chocolates handmade with Grandma at Christmas for example). Lynne was thrilled (and relieved) to welcome more females into the family with two granddaughters Ocean and Aria of whom she was extremely proud.  Many wonderful times were spent with extended family at Fish Creek, Thunder Lake and the Kananaskis, in Rome, Mexico and at the cottage in Ontario.  Lake Louise was a particularly special place for Ken and Lynne, the site of both their honeymoon and fiftieth anniversary.  Her love for her human family was (almost) eclipsed by her well-known love for her canine family members Cindy, Mandy and Angie. 

Many New Year’s, mountain picnics and laugh-filled family vacations (California, Hawaii, England, Camp Kasota, Valleyview, Newfoundland and Radium) were spent with faithful friends Connie and Paul, Mike and Marilyn, Joan and Glen and Terri and Carol. Lynne loved the circle of friends she made at Woodward’s, Southern Hobby & Books, Rafters, bowling and her healing groups.

Lynne was a strong defender of her gender, family and friends.   At her Canada Packers student job, she responded to an unwelcome advance with a handful of processed meat across the face, changing the environment on the plant floor.  Lynne was a loyal and longterm mental health caregiver for her devoted husband during a time of much stigma and misunderstanding.  The music and movies of Elvis, the Bee Gees, John Travolta and Tom Jones helped her through as did her enduring sense of humour, love for reading (three books at a time), letter writing and crafts of all kinds.  A student of world religions, meditation and healing, with a suitable affinity for the turtle, she never saw a cloud, a mountain or a tree that she couldn’t see a story in.  

Lynne is survived by her two sons, Colin (Ron, Sofi) and Kirby (Zan, Ocean, Aria); sisters-in-law (and beautiful flower girls) Lynne and Arlene; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was predeceased by her loving spouse of fifty-two years Ken, her parents Ian Nugent and Judith Nugent (Olson).

A Celebration of Lynne’s Life will be held at a later date. To participate please email lynneandersenfarewell@gmail.com.   
Condolences, memories, videos and photos may be shared and viewed on Lynne’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

A heartfelt thankyou to the kind and caring staff of Lake Bonavista Village, South Health Campus Hospital and Age Care Seton (Cranston) for making Lynne (their “lovely lady”) feel safe, secure and loved.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region, Suite #400, 105 – 12th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A1 Telephone: (403) 297–1700, www.cmha.calgary.ab.ca

Whenever you see a feather, think of Lynne………

In living memory of Lynne Andersen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.