Alan WARDEN

Obituary of Alan Samuel WARDEN

March 15, 1928 - January 31, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we wish to share the passing of Alan on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at the age of 92 after a short yet difficult battle with Covid-19. Alan passed peacefully with his loving family at his side.

Born to James and Niah (nee Stephens) Warden in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Alan was raised in and around the North Battleford area, including several years spent on the Little Pine Reserve during his father’s tenure with the Indian Affairs Office. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with his geology degree in 1954 and was hired by Mobil Oil where he worked for thirty-two years until his retirement in 1986. He married his first wife Yvonne Hoag in 1955 and moved to Dawson Creek, BC, and later Calgary to raise their four children. After her untimely passing, Alan met and married Bernie Warden in 1970 in Calgary, and bravely formed a full household of ten children with the addition of Sarah in 1972, as well as caring for his father James in the home.

A wise and gentle soul, Alan was widely regarded as the rock of our family. He was steadfast and reliable, and taught us patience, kindness, and the value of family. The dinner table was sacred; no matter what else was going on, we always came together as a family for supper. Many summers would be spent hauling multiple kids in a station wagon to visit cousins on the West Coast, and winters spent skiing as a family in the mountains. Alan was particularly fond of the family cottages; first at Sylvan Lake and later at Lake Windermere. Many happy moments were shared with family and friends at these special places.

He had a keen and curious mind, and although humble and soft-spoken, was happy to contribute fact and evidence to any lively debate. A lover of nature with an encyclopedic knowledge, he could always be counted on to identify birds and trees for anyone interested. His interests extended to the world around him, and he and Bernie traveled to every inhabited continent of the world, particularly enjoying educational travel through Elderhostel and the University of Calgary. He and Bernie had many dear friends and enjoyed culinary adventures with the Gourmet Group and exploring the performing arts with their Theatre Calgary group.

Alan is lovingly remembered by his seven daughters, Carol (Mark) MacDonnell, Susan (Paul) Fawcett, Arlie (Scott) Fawcett, Brenda (Paul) Sledzinski, Karen (Wayne) Kouf, Margie (Paul) Howard, Sarah (Raja) Warden; and his three sons, Glenn (Kym) Fawcett, Scott (Karen) Fawcett, and Doug (Carolyn) Warden. He is also lovingly remembered by thirteen granddaughters, nine grandsons, five great-grandsons, one great-granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews. Alan was predeceased by his wives, Yvonne (Hoag), Bernice (Haines); and sisters, Joan Callaghan (Stew) and Shirley Muir (Keith).

Alan was respected by all who knew him, and loved by many. He will be dearly missed by family and friends alike, but his spirit and the wisdom he imparted will stay with us forever.

A Service will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Alan’s obituary page at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nature Conservancy Canada at www.natureconservancy.ca.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Revera Scenic Acres and particularly his team at Unit 93 at Rockyview  General Hospital for their expertise, care and support in the last week of his life.

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