Obituary of Carole Archibald

May 30, 1941 – Bassano, Alberta

March 3, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Carole Archibald (nee Sandquist), of Calgary, AB, passed away at the Foothills hospital on Friday, March 3, 2023 at the age of 81 years. After a brief stay in hospital, she passed away peacefully with her children by her side.

Carole was born in Bassano, Alberta on May 31, 1941, and moved to Calgary in 1951.

Following high school, Carole received training in secretarial arts and junior accountancy at Henderson Business College. Over her career she worked as a secretary, bookkeeper, model, accountant, office manager, realtor, and show home salesperson for local businesses in Calgary, including Heintzman Piano and CFAC-TV. Throughout her life, Carole was beautiful both inside and out. She was very humble about having been a model in her early years – a topic of much curiosity and interest for her grandchildren. Carole tirelessly provided for her family, supported her children, and kept a clean and tidy home.

Carole married Donald Archibald in 1976. With Don, Carole found her soulmate; together they enjoyed dancing, curling, travelling and playing cards. After retiring, they were able to spend winters as snowbirds in Sun Lakes, Arizona, before Don’s sudden passing in 1996.

Carole returned to Calgary fulltime, spending her remaining years of retirement proudly maintaining her home and yard in immaculate condition, playing online poker, playing cards with good friends, watching curling, and keeping in touch with family and friends. Carole was very proud of her children, stepchildren and grandchildren, and always eager to hear about their accomplishments.

She will be remembered most for her smile and her attention to detail. Carole was kind, gentle, fiercely independent, and always knew what she wanted. She never forgot a phone number and was always the first to remember a birthday, anniversary, or event. She also had incredible patience—her grandchildren and other teenagers (and their parents) have her to thank for teaching them how to drive!

Carole is survived by her children, David France (Marion Haggarty-France) of Edmonton (granddaughters Shauna and Kyla France) and Kari France of Calgary (grandson Curtis Litzenberger, granddaughter Britnee Litzenberger); her stepchildren Joanne Archibald (Howard Samoil) of Edmonton, (granddaughter Katie Samoil), Craig Archibald (Cathy Diamond) of Niagara Falls (grandson Donald Archibald), and Sandy LaBine (Rick LaBine) of Calgary; her brother Dwight Sandquist (Marion) of Calgary; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Carole was predeceased by husband Donald Archibald, former husband Ronald France, and parents Mildred (nee Martin) and Alvin Sandquist.

Carole insisted that there be no funeral or memorial service. A small celebration of life will take place later this spring.

Flowers are respectfully declined. For those who wish to make a memorial donation, please consider the Calgary Health Foundation - Foothills Medical Centre (to Cardiac Sciences) or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

In living memory of Carole Archibald, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Heritage, 1708 – 16th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L7, Telephone: 403-243-8200.