Obituary of Désirée Monique Ellis

July 16, 1966 - Papendrecht, Netherlands
June 4, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Désirée Monique Ellis of Calgary, AB passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 4, 2022, surrounded by her loving family and beloved husband.

Désirée was born at home in Papendrecht, Netherlands on July 16, 1966. Throughout her childhood, Désirée lived in many different countries around the world: Spain, Norway, Mozambique, Egypt, Lebanon, Singapore, and Brunei following her father who worked in the Oil & Gas industry. Désirée and her family moved to Canada in 1979 and settled in Calgary. 

In 1986, she attended Brooks College in Long Beach California where she studied Fashion Merchandising. Then, Désirée graduated from Mount Royal College in 1996 prior to completing her accounting degree (Dean’s list) at the University of Calgary in 1999. For her internship, Désirée took a non-traditional path with Amoco Oil where she fell in love with being a Production Accountant and went on to build a successful career in Oil & Gas.     

Désirée accomplished so much through her amazing life and was especially proud of being able to build a new home all on her own. Shortly afterward, she met her soul-pup Rae who she loved to travel with, have Friday happy hour with, and to just sit by their fireplace with some wine and occasional tequila shot (with OJ). Désirée looked forward to her weekend visits with her mom who she saw as her best friend and enjoyed hosting family Barbeques where she would share her latest collected treasures.

Besides her loving husband Rae Fehr, Désirée is survived by her mother Marian De Waard, father Charles Lee, sister Inga Van Keulen, and brother-in-law Greg Clearwater. She is also survived by her extended Dutch family: Tante Ella Van Dam-de Waard, Tante Marlena (Ome Cor), and cousins, Yolanda, Sandra, Ronald, Anita, Tony, Mike and Cecilia.

A private gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos maybe shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99^th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222.

In loving memory of Désirée Ellis, 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.