Obituary of Reta Margaret (nee Baldwin) ALLAN

February 10, 1927 - R.M. of Warrenton, Manitoba
April 8, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

On Thursday, April 8, 2021 we sadly said goodbye to our beloved 94 year old mom, Reta Allan. As she quoted from a John Denver song shortly before she died, “It’s been a good life all in all”. She said she was tired, and we feel she was getting ready to go. Struggling with several medical conditions for the past three years, she said she “needed a break.” Maybe she got more than she was asking for but she was making jokes right up to her last few hours. When Dine told Mom that she received a lovely bottle of champagne from a neighbour and she would open it at our next celebration, Mom replied, “Maybe at my funeral.  Dance first and then drink, but don’t try to do both at once or you’ll spill it…. and I bet it was expensive!”

Reta grew up in rural Manitoba, a member of the large Baldwin clan…….she was the tenth of fourteen children. She was raised surrounded by love, music, laughter and family, and that is her legacy to us. She married Don in Manitoba in 1951. In 1955, they moved to Edmonton, AB, and then to Calgary, AB, in 1963, where they lived for the next fifty-eight years. 

Over the years we had many fun-filled happy times with music, dancing, laughter and food; there are even videos to prove it! Don was the bartender and was famous for his fancy cocktails and special glasses for each type of drink. Reta will be greatly missed as she was the centre-pin of our family and dearly loved (where will we now gather for our G&Ts?!) The feeling of “home” and the sense of belonging that Mom and Dad provided, made us a close, loving family, which we are pleased to see has been passed on to the next generation. They also instilled in each of us the importance of remembering what is really important in life, family and love. A passage in a favourite book of Reta’s says that “a child never truly grows up until the last parent dies” (but I don’t think Gord and I ever wanted to grow up…….we liked being the “kids!”)

Reta and Don were active volunteers in their church and community, as well, Reta canvassed for The Salvation Army for many, many years. How fitting that in her final days it would be the exceptional staff of the Salvation Army’s Agape Hospice who would care so compassionately for her. The family would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for making an extremely difficult time a little less painful.  

Rest in peace Mom, and may your country roads take you home!  You will always be loved and forever missed!
XOXO Your Motley Crew ❤

Reta is survived by her four children and their partners, Judy Kealty, Diane Stewart (Don), Bruce (Melissa), and Gord (Sue); and daughter-in-law Jane (Lance).  Reta was blessed with nine perfect grandchildren “grands”, Allie (Alex), Meri (Chase), Gordie, Tom, Pam, Mark (Elana), Leslie, Sarah (Mark), and Chad (Clair); as well as her adorable “great-grands”, Nola and Edgar. Reta is also survived by her two younger brothers, Cam (Eleanor) and Gary; and sister-in-law Donna Baldwin, and a huge extended family of Baldwin “off-shoots” of nieces, nephews, greats and great-greats. On the Allan side, Reta is survived by her sister-in-law Pat, nephews and niece John, Brenda, and Gary; and their families.

Reta was predeceased by her husband Don in 2010, and her son-in-law Tim Kealty in 2009.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Reta’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. Please consider supporting the Salvation Army and the amazing work they do, in Reta’s memory, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Salvation Army, 1731 29th Street SW Calgary, AB, T3C 1M6, on line at www.salvationarmy.ca, or by phone 403-410-1112.

In living memory of Reta Allan, 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.