Obituary of Del Bylsma

December 7, 1948 - March 22, 2023
Calgary, Alberta

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Della May Bylsma “Del”, passed away peacefully at the age of 74 years old, with her husband Graham and two daughters, Ashley and Lindsay, by her side. Del was born on December 7, 1948, in Theodore, Saskatchewan. She was the third of four daughters, born to her parents Peter and Marie Bylsma. At the age of 16, Del graduated high school and left her family home and farm to complete her Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1968, Del moved to Calgary to begin her career as a teacher with the Calgary Board of Education.

Del and her husband Graham met at a Ski Club dance in 1977 and spent seven years together before getting married and growing their family. They bought a house in Kelvin Grove in 1987, where Graham lives to this day. Del was an active community member and a cherished neighbour. 

As an elementary school teacher, and later as a resource teacher, Del worked at many schools across Calgary including Queen Elizabeth, Nickle, Sam Livingston, Eugene Cost, Spruce Cliff, Queensland, Victoria Park and Brentwood. Del took an early retirement from teaching in 2004 to explore other passions, including reading, walking, gardening, traveling, and giving back to her community through volunteer work.

Del was a leader among her friends and colleagues, starting several initiatives, such as a book club and a walking group, both of which continue to this day. She was an avid volunteer for many organizations over the years, including The Mustard Seed, The Calgary Food Bank, The Youth Singers of Calgary (which her daughters were members of for years), and the Chinook Park, Kelvin Grove, and Eagle Ridge Community Association. She was a regular blood donor, with over 50 donations made throughout her adult life. 

One of Del’s greatest loves was travelling, with trips to Russia, Japan, China, and Europe as a young adult during her summers off from teaching. As a family, Graham, Del, Ashley and Lindsay continued to explore the globe, with a family vacation to Paris being at the top of her favourites list. Del also reminisced often about her adventures with Graham and their travelling group, exploring Southeast Asia, summiting Kilimanjaro and sailing along the Great Bear Rainforest. Del had an extremely adventurous spirit and loved learning about the world throughout each trip.

In 2014, Del was diagnosed with early onset Fronto-Temporal Dementia (semantic variety). Graham cared for her at home with support from family and friends until August 2018, when she moved into the Providence Care Centre in SE Calgary. Del’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the loving Providence Care staff for the incredible care they provided to Del over the last 4.5 years. 

As a final gift, Del’s family arranged for her brain to be donated to dementia research at the Calgary Brain Bank. This decision was made by Graham, Ashley, and Lindsay who are confident Del would have been thrilled by this opportunity for furthering research and prompting ongoing education. 

Del was predeceased by her parents Peter and Marie Bylsma, and her sister Louise Garfat. Del is survived by her husband Graham Wynne; daughters, Ashley Wynne and Lindsay Wynne; and sisters, Rosemarie Polowick, and Sharon Litowski. 

To honour Del’s memory, a Celebration of Life will be held for Del on Saturday July 8, 2023. This open-house celebration will take place at the family home in Kelvin Grove from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In honour of Del’s love of walking and nature, an optional walk to Glenmore Reservoir – a walk Del loved and made countless times – will take place between 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with Del’s family here.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Father Lacombe Care Foundation Donate Now - Father Lacombe Care Foundation (canadahelps.org) or the Hotchkiss Brain Institute Brain and Mental Health Research - University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca).

In living memory of Del, 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.