Obituary of Doris Lehodey (nee Nufer)

March 12, 1930 - Edmonton, Alberta

September 30, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Doris Verna Lehodey (nee Nufer) died peacefully on Friday, September 30, 2022 at the age of 92 years. She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice Marcel Lehodey, who died on March 9, 2020 also at the age of 92 years.

She was born on March 12, 1930 in Edmonton to Swiss immigrant parents: , Liseli Fankhauser, who immigrated to Canada alone at the age of 16 (busking as a yodeler on the ship to help pay her way), and Alfred Nufer, who immigrated to Canada hoping to receive a plot of CPR land, did not get one, and ended up panning for gold in the Klondike and being the expedition chef on a Charles Camsell expedition in the Yukon. Doris was an only child, as she often would remind people, and was very proud of her Swiss heritage. Her parents both worked, which made her a very independent and strong individual. She attended the University of Alberta and graduated in 1954, the same year she met her husband Maurice. They were married in 1955 and started their 65-year journey together in Camrose, Alberta. Their activity of choice at that time was curling. Soon they moved on to Red Deer, where their children, Bob, Brian and Dianne, were born. She fostered the value of education and an active lifestyle in her children. It was in Red Deer that the family became avid skiers, with weekends and weeknights spent at Canyon Ski Hill.  It was also there that their love of gardening began to blossom. The family moved to Edmonton in 1970, and their skiing activity moved to Marmot Basin in Jasper. In those days, the traditional family Sunday night dinners took a bit of a hiatus, replaced by regular visits to the A&W Drive-In in Edson on the way home from a weekend skiing. The family moved to Calgary in 1974, where they bought a home overlooking Stanley Park where Doris and Maurice lived for the balance of their lives.

As an only child, Doris was a very focused and determined individual, a trait she instilled in all her children.  She truly believed, "If there is a will, there is a way," and she certainly had a "will" and always found a way, usually hers!  In Calgary, she began working at the Foothills Hospital as a laboratory technician to help support the many family pursuits. Maurice and Doris (fondly known as Moe and Doe) devoted much time and support to the ski racing world, spending many hours volunteering on the slopes. They also spent many hours over the years renovating their home and, in particular, establishing their garden, which they tended to and oversaw all their lives. Doris loved her family, but nothing brought her more joy than her six grandchildren. Her beautiful smile and sparkle in her eye were magnified when they were present.

Doris' personal passion though was tennis, a sport she took up in her forties. As many will recall, court one at the Calgary Tennis Club was a second home to her weekday mornings at 9 am, playing into her 80's with her faithful friend Joan. Being Swiss, her favorite player of course was Roger Federer and, with his recent retirement a few weeks ago, ... maybe... just maybe... Doris decided it was time for her to retire as well - "Game, Set and Match," as they say.

Doris was determined (as with everything in life) to stay in her home until the end and that was possible due to the patient and loving support of her caregivers (you know who you are) the past couple of years. Their care was a true gift. Thank you!

Doris was predeceased by her husband Maurice. She is survived by her three children: Dianne (John Amundrud) and their children, Kelly and Steven; Brian (Mike Williams); and Bob (Tracy Beaumont) and their children, Sean, Breanne, Marc and Blake. 

The family will be having a private Celebration of Life for both Moe and Doe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Doris Lehodey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.