Obituary of Alyce Marie BRADSHAW (nee Ryley)

January 9, 1926 – Edmonton, Alberta

February 28, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Alyce Marie Bradshaw (nee Ryley) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the age of 95 years.

Alyce was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on January 9, 1926. She had lifelong ties to the city and always enjoyed visiting. She and the family moved numerous times in her life as the family followed her husband, Jack as he was transferred for business. Although this was considerable work, it was always a grand adventure.

Alyce graduated from Catholic high school in Edmonton in 1944.  Her teachers gave her good training to prepare her for the armed services. She enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps while the ink of her graduation certificate was still wet. Alyce served in the armed forces until the end of the war in 1945. She was recently recognized and honoured as a Metis WWII war hero.

She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi and the Kinettes which allowed her to help out in many charitable causes. Alyce accomplished much through her life, made many friends easily, and was particularly proud of surviving high school. Alyce had a passion for shoes, coin and stamp collecting and most of all, spending time with extended family and was very proud of all their accomplishments. She and Jack also liked to golf and played for fun. At least that is what she said. Alyce never drove, and as a back seat witness to the lessons my father gave her, the family agreed that it was all for the best. Actually it was only one lesson.

Alyce’s most memorable vacation was when the family was stuck in Bisbee Montana waiting for an automobile part that had to come from Mars. Mars was a lot further back then. The family had a Morris Minor nicknamed “the Peanut”. Alyce had another nickname for the car. You may use your imagination here. The motel had a small swimming pool, which my father stayed away from due to remarks he heard Alyce make to her mother on the phone. Her son Randy enjoyed the pool while her daughter, Christina, read inappropriate romance magazines. This was fine with Alyce as she did not want to have the same conversation she had with the nuns at her high school.

Alyce’s favourite saying cannot be printed here, but she did like the Irish song that included, “Lets not have a sniffle, lets have a jolly good cry and always remember, the longer you live, the sooner you jolly well die.”

She will be most remembered for loving her family and friends, her generosity, her fierce independence and her affection for a good cup of coffee. She had many friends at Grace Gardens in Calgary where she lived until her passing.

Alyce loved the visits, and soup and sandwiches from Lynn Dufort with special glee for the desserts purloined from Ron Dufort. Alyce also appreciated Valerie and Wes Witherspoon for their many expressions of love.

Alyce is survived by her son, Randy (Sandra van den Brink) who resides in Calgary, Alberta. Alyce has three grandchildren, Jason (Lara) Gresl, in South Bend, Indiana, Jonathan Gresl in Calgary, Alberta, and Sandra (Sahar Romani) Gresl, New York City, New York. Alyce has one great-grandchild, Michah, who is Jason and Lara’s child in South Bend, Indiana. Alyce is also survived by nieces, Roberta Ryley and Wrennie Ryley, Karen (Gene) Zuk, and Dunnie (Esther) Ryley, Lynn (Akio) Tokunaga, Sandi (Ken) Esopenko, Cindy (Rob) Schwartz, all of Edmonton and Brent (Tammy) Ryley of Quesnell. BC., as well as two nephews, Dunnie Ryley and Brent Ryley.

Alyce was predeceased by her spouse, Arthur John (Jack) Bradshaw, her daughter Mary Christina, and her parents Mary and Raymond Ryley. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Chuck Ryley, Robert Ryley, David Ryley, Mickey Ryley; and her sister Agnes Ryley.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Alyce’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

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