Obituary of Jill (Cora) Gebhardt

June 28, 1939 – June 13, 2022

Mom was born in the middle of a hurricane in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her childhood years were filled with nannies, maids and cooks. Her favourite childhood memory was ringing the dinner bell and being the baby of the family, she was the only one that got to do it.

Mom’s Knight in Shining Armour, Howard, rode in on the back of a ‘56 Chev to start their amazing love story. They created their family of four children: the oldest daughter, Kim, her beloved son and soulmate, Ross, her sunshine, Debbie and her baby, protector and her partner in crime, Billie-Jo.

Mom and Dad built an incredible legacy of love, family and traditions over 34 years. When Dad passed on, Mom’s strength was absolutely amazing, and she continued teaching us about the power of love, family, strength, loyalty, laughter, travel, and understanding the value of the small things and that being together was all we ever needed. Millions of hours of family time, belly laughs, wahoo, canasta, camping, music, dancing, horses, dogs and “chittering” were her favourite things.

Over the years the family grew, and Mom was ecstatic and so very proud of her ever-growing village. Mom was truly passionate about life and taught each and every one of us to live fast and hard and full of unconditional love, to be strong, to be kind, to live on the edge, laugh when things get tough and to enjoy every moment you have. Mom had many hats to wear, Dad’s everything – truly his Queen, Mom, Ma, Mama, Gram, Gamma, Gigi, Auntie and Best Friend.

Mom was predeceased by her son, Ross Howard Gebhardt (1984), the love of her life, her husband, Howard Harold Gebhardt (1991); her parents, Norman (1984) and Billie (1996), her sister, Elayne (2012); and her fur babies, Chief, Noopy, Buffy, Bo, Buddy, Ticket, Lady, Blue, Molly, Toonces, Rikki, Ziggy and Barklee.

Ma is survived by her daughter, Debbie, son-in-law, Brad, their fur baby, Abbie, their son, Adam (Angie, Addisyn and Walker); and daughter, Heather (Javier and Halle), her baby daughter, Billie Jo, son-in-law, Roli and their fur babies, Marley, Millie and Valentino; her daughter-in-law, Heather and children, Amy (Dean, Xana and Layne), Jesse (Nicole, Tilley and Griffin) and Genaro; her grandson, Cody (Rhiannon, Abbey and Logan); her adopted son, Terry (Colleen, Dillon, Dalton, Tanner and Delaney); and her best friend, confident and soul sister of 58 years Marg Woolsey.

Mom will be forever remembered in each of our hearts and souls for eternity. Ma’s legacy will continue to bloom through her many loved ones.

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

In living memory of Jill Gebhardt, 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.