Obituary of Esther Emma McIntosh

April 27, 1925 - Keppel, Saskatchewan

August 8, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Esther McIntosh of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022, at the age of 97 years.

Esther was born in Keppel, SK, on April 27, 1925. Esther graduated from Normal School Regina in 1942. She attended the University of Calgary and graduated with a Bachelor of Education. Esther married Lloyd in 1951. Esther’s teaching career ranged from working in one room schools in rural SK to developing the code for computerized reading programs that were used first in Calgary and then across Canada.

Esther was an avid sports fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, a long-time season ticket holder for the Calgary Stampeders and the Calgary Flames. Esther was exceptionally skilled at sewing, she hand-sewed over one hundred quilts! Each one of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren had their own personal quilts hand-made from Grandma Esther. She also utilized her sewing skills to have some of the quilts she made raffled off to help support the Bowness Seniors Centre. She taught quilting skills to those around her as a proud member and volunteer at the Bowness Seniors Centre.

After Esther retired from teaching, she volunteered at the Bowness Seniors Centre, holding a number of executive positions. She was the President during the successful expansion of the Centre. The main hall was named in her honour in 2001. Esther continued to sit on the Board of Directors until the year 2020. Esther’s support and advocacy for improving the lives of seniors in her community resulted in her being awarded the 2006 Ministers Alberta Senior Service Award.

Esther was a traveller, she loved to visit places not just read about them. She visited numerous places in Canada, USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Esther will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family, and her advocacy for those in need around her. When you think of her “say not in grief that she is no more but say in thankfulness that she was. A death is not the extinguishing of a light but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come”.

Esther is survived by her daughter Karen McIntosh of Calgary, AB, son Brian (Laura) of Winnipeg, MB, seven grandchildren, Brent McIntosh of Winnipeg, MB, Erik Malus of Calgary, AB, Daniel (Chrysa) McIntosh of Wisconsin, Colin McIntosh of Queenstown, New Zealand, Todd (Darya Kosilova) Malus of Vancouver BC), Rosa McIntosh of Calgary, AB, Adam (Skyhlar) McIntosh of Brooks, AB; two great-grandchildren, Ryker, and Easton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Esther was predeceased by her loving husband Lloyd John McIntosh, parents, Emma and Alexander Karst; daughter April, three brothers, Ellis Karst, Eddie Karst, and Willie Karst, and son-in-law John Malus.

A Celebration of Esther’s Life will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. The family would like to thank all the staff at Chinook Hospice who made their mom's last months comfortable, supported her and the family throughout Esther’s final journey.

In living memory of Esther McIntosh, 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.