Obituary of Kathy Staniland (née Byers)

January 1, 1933 – Rimbey, Alberta
September 4, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our wonderful mother and grandmother, at the age of 88, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease and more recently cancer. We are, however, joyful that her suffering has ended and she will be reunited with her husband Roy. Although she was severely challenged with memory loss, she maintained her charm, humour and kindness to the very end.
 
Clara Kathleen (Kathy) Staniland (née Byers) was born in Rimbey, Alberta, on January 1, 1933 to Dr. John and Teresa Byers. She grew up in Rimbey and Ponoka. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in the nursing program at the Edmonton General Hospital. While in Edmonton, she met and fell in love with her husband Roy, a pilot. They quietly eloped and married in Jasper, Alberta in 1955.
They welcomed their first son, another New Year’s baby, on her 23rd birthday. Thus began her amazing career as a mother. Four more children followed closely in the next five years.  After a brief five-year stint of not being pregnant, she welcomed their sixth and last child to the family in January 1967.

Mom and Dad spent the first seven years of their lives together in Edmonton, before moving to Calgary in 1962 when Dad’s company, Associated Helicopters, opened a Calgary office.

Mom was an independent, capable, and brave woman. As the wife of a bush pilot and helicopter pilot, Mom was often left to care for a house full of six children by herself while Dad was off fighting forest fires from early spring through late fall. During these times, Mom managed the chaos of a family of six kids with an unparalleled grace and efficiency that remains astonishing to us all to this day. Dad always knew when he left that he was leaving everything in Mom’s exceptionally capable hands. 

Mom loved her roles of wife, mother and grandmother and was outstanding at all. She loved unconditionally and was endlessly patient and kind. She encouraged and fostered our confidence and independence, playing such an integral role in all of our successes.
Each and every grandchild held a very special place in her heart and were her pride and joy. When visiting with a friend, one granddaughter exclaimed to that friend upon entering the house, “Prepare to be spoiled!” That perfectly sums up Mom - she spoiled us all with her endless love and generosity.

Not a day will go by that we will not miss this extraordinary woman.

To carry on her legacy of love and kindness are her six children: Michael, Robert (Nancy), Terri (Bryan Brunet), John (Marilyn), Kathleen (David Pavan), and Scott (Amanda Lumley); her six grandchildren, Emily Staniland, Alexandra Brunet, Joffre Brunet, MacKenzie Schmidt, Benjamin Pavan, and Sara Pavan. She is also survived by her siblings Jack, Mac (Marie), Bette (Al), and Dick (Eleanor); her in-laws Doreen, Pauline (Ron), Elaine (Gregory), Dennis (Jeannie), and Frederick (Gloria); and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 40 years Roy, and her cherished grandchildren, Keith and Frances Clare.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. Special thanks to the caring staff at Scenic Acres Retirement Residence, and Drs. Connie Ellis and Sandra Albuquerque.   If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice.

In living memory of Kathy Staniland 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.

Clara's memorial card can be viewed using this link