Obituary of Eleanor Mary PRETE (nee Ambler)

September 17, 1933 – Pathlow, Saskatchewan
February 26, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

With great sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our Mom, Eleanor Mary Prete, on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the age of 87 years.

Mom was born in Pathlow, Saskatchewan. She was the third youngest of eleven children.  Mom was an LPN and worked at The Bethany Care Centre for over twenty-five years, acting as an angel to all the patients she interacted with. She truly cared for all those folks as she said “They all count on me to make them as comfortable as possible when they can’t do it themselves.” Mom chose to work nights so that she could be home during the day in case any of us kids needed her. 

Truly there are no words that suffice to explain who our Mom was and what she meant to us and anyone lucky enough to know her. How do you describe someone who always put others first and who was our biggest cheerleader and supporter? She taught us to be kind to others, because as she said often “You don’t know what others are going through or what they may be dealing with, so just be nice.”

She loved her grandchildren very much and always wanted them to be happy and to enjoy their lives. She always wanted her grandkids to remember her as the grandma that spent time with her grandkids and would often take them on trips, have picnics, or just chase them around, and once even tried teaching them how to stand on their heads. Mom was so happy for her new iPad, which allowed her to connect with the grandkids and watch her great grandkids, since she wasn’t able to have normal visits this past year - like many of us.
  
She was an amazing gardener whose yard was truly beautiful and a wonderful place to rest and enjoy the smells, the sounds of the robins splashing in the birdbath, the tranquility, and the beauty of all her flowers - especially her yellow rose bush. They were always Mom’s favourite flower. Garden gnomes, which held a special place in her heart, were spread throughout. Some family members knew this and once in a while a new gnome would “magically appear” overnight. 

Mom’s house was the one that all friends and family made sure to visit when they were passing through Calgary. She always had some type of baked good to share (matrimonial cake being a crowd favourite) as well as great conversation. We know that it meant the world to Mom that people thought enough of her that they would stop for a visit.

We could go on and on about what a wonderful loving person she was, but we’ll stop now and simply ask that all of you who are reading this to take a few moments and remind yourself what Mom meant to you and, if you would, to please share it on this website. It will help with the healing that our hearts need to read these stories and realize what she meant to all of you as well.

On behalf of our family, we want to thank you for caring about our Mom and Grandma and making her part of your lives as well.

Mom is survived by her four children, Greg (Coral) Prete, Daryl Prete, Tom (Jan) Prete, and Joanne (Will) Rieberer. She was also blessed with five grandchildren, Lyndsey (Richard) Enyimu, Brett Roboch, Matt (Kelly) Prete, Cory Roboch, and Dylan Rieberer; as well as three great-grandchildren, Noah and Leo Enyimu, and Connor Prete. She is also survived by her sister, Marge Cameron. All of whom loved her dearly and will miss her more than words can express. She was and will continue to be our Angel. 

She was predeceased by her husband Theodore (Ted) Franklin Prete, siblings, Dave Ambler, Gordon Ambler, Jimmy Ambler, Mervyn Ambler, Evelyn Ryrie, Kay Lippman, Eileen Stewart, Tom Ambler and Dorothy Berard.

A Private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Eleanor’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, please take a moment to stop and smell the roses. Please honour our Mom and Grandma by giving to others through random acts of kindness, and think of her when you do. 

In living memory of Eleanor Prete, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.