Obituary of Olive Jean Blayney (nee McCarroll)

December 30, 1929 – High River, Alberta
December 3, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Olive Jean Blayney (nee McCarroll), of Calgary, AB passed away following a brief illness on Friday, December 3, 2021, at the age of 91 years.

Born on December 30, 1929 in High River, AB and raised in Royalties, Barons and Rocky Mountain House, Jean married the love of her life Alan John Blayney, honeymooned in Banff, AB, and had 58 happy years together. They first lived in Vancouver, BC, then moved to Edmonton, Trinidad and Tobago, and then Calgary, AB. She graduated from High School in Rocky Mountain House, AB, then attended McTavish Business College in Edmonton, AB, graduating as a secretary. Jean was employed by the department of Public Health, Provincial Government in Edmonton, AB, The Seven Men’s Athletic Coaches at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Calgary Lawyers “Low and Law”, Office Overload and Glamorgan Church of God, Calgary, AB. Jean’s greatest joy was her family. She devoted herself to raising her children and spent many happy years taking them to countless lessons and activities. Her love of adventure saw Jean and Alan travel the globe with family and friends. The more exotic and distant the location, the better for Jean. Trips in recent years included the High Arctic, Eastern Europe, and Spain and Morocco.

Jean contributed to the betterment of the community locally and supported foster children internationally.  She participated in volunteer activities such as going door-to-door fund-raising for the March of Dimes. Her love of music was expressed through singing in at the Lakeview United Church choir. Jean sang in the University Singer’s Choir in Edmonton, AB, Calgary’s Festival Chorus, Marilyn Perkins Belles, later changed to the Dalton Singers, the Church Choir at the United States of America Naval Base, Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I, and many Church choirs in Alberta and British Columbia.  She worked in medical transcription, as a secretary at a neighborhood church, and as an enumerator. Family and friends remember Jean as gracious, kind, accomplished and elegant. She saw the best in others, was keenly interested in their lives and always ready to laugh and socialize. 

Jean is survived by her sister Ileen Hagen, son William and spouse Debbie, son Douglas, his daughter Tegan and her mother Carla, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends. Jean was predeceased by parents Hugh and Thelma McCarroll, husband Alan, twins Debra and Donald, and son Mark. 

A Celebration of Olive’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial or to the Breakfast Club on Canada (https://www.breakfastclubcanada.org), the BC or Alberta Guide Dogs (https://bcandalbertaguidedogs.com), or the War Amps (https://www.waramps.ca/home). 

In living memory of Jean Blayney, 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.