Obituary of Sissel Vigdis Fjellstad

February 7, 1950 - Drammen, Norway

December 9, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Sissel Fjellstad, beloved wife of James (Jim) Orzel and mother of Ashley Orzel, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at the age of 71 years.

Sissel was born in Drammen, Norway on February 7, 1950. She arrived in Canada with her mother and older sister, Laila on October 31, 1951.

Sissel (or Susie, as she was known to many), graduated from SAIT in Architectural Technology and was one of only two women in her program. She met Jim while working together in the drafting department at Canada Cities Services. They were married in a small, intimate ceremony on December 28, 1985. She wore a vintage wedding dress that her husband surprised her with at Christmas. They were best friends throughout their 40 years together.

Sissel was strong-willed, adventurous, independent, opinionated, and tenacious. She was an accomplished classical guitar player, certified scuba diver and owned a horse named Oakie, whom she rode almost every weekend in Nanton through her twenties. She enjoyed projects around the house, painting – especially cowboys, knitting Norwegian sweaters, watching old TV shows and Christmas movies on repeat, sharing cute animal videos, and sewing – including sewing her daughter’s figure skating outfits, Halloween costumes and high school graduation dress.

As the matriarch of the family, Sissel hosted every family dinner in her home. She insisted on doing all the cooking and baking from scratch, which would include at least three desserts (especially her famous cheesecake). She treated her nieces and nephews as if they were her own and made it her mission to give every member of her family the most fulfilling life possible. She was also the primary caregiver for her mother, Agnes, during her final years.

Sissel’s greatest pride was her only child and daughter, Ashley. She was a natural mother, and they always had a very close relationship. Ashley often told her how incredibly lucky she was to have her as her mom.

Sissel and Jim instilled a love of travelling in Ashley, taking annual family vacations throughout the US, Europe, and once to Japan. They would also take frequent trips to California and to visit Sissel’s sister Laila in Nelson, BC. Sissel would continue to meet Ashley all over the world for mother-daughter trips, including Laos, Thailand, Colombia, New York City, Mexico City and most recently, the Gulf Islands in BC. All their trips involved “coffee shop hopping,” where they would spend hours talking about life over americanos and dessert.

Besides travelling, Sissel’s retirement was filled with meeting her close friend of over 30 years, Denise, for breakfast and taking walks together around different neighbourhoods. It was one of her favourite pastimes.

Sissel had a kindness, acceptance and generosity that was felt by every person she met. She had a special bond with numerous people in her life and would always put others before herself. She loved deeply and was deeply loved by many.

Sissel is survived by her loving husband, James and daughter, Ashley. She is also survived by her sister, Laila and brother, Butch (Patty); sisters-in-law Carole (Michael), Judy (Bob), and Jackie (Ross); mother-in-law, Jessie; nieces Kari (Chad), Jennifer (Blessing), Kristie and Brittany; nephews Trent and Alexander (Kirsten); her honourary “grand-children” Malia, Drake, Meadow, Jaxon, Stella, Faith, Kai and Theo; as well as many family members around the world and cherished friends.

Susie was predeceased by her brother, Arnie; mother, Agnes; and brother-in-law, Bill.

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Sissel Fjellstad, 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.