Obituary of Elva Ruth Webb

November 4, 1929 - Calgary, Alberta 
March 26, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Sunday evening, March 26, 2023, Elva passed into the presence of her Savior and Lord. This was a day that she looked forward to with great expectation.

Elva was born November 4, 1929, to Arthur and Elva Webb. She had an older brother, Don (Marilyn), and younger brother Bill (Marlene).  All have predeceased Elva.

She is survived by nieces and nephews, Doug and Sheri Webb (Calgary), Lorrie and Mark Boehmer (Aurora, ON), Stephen and Wendy Webb (Bracebridge, ON), Barbara and David Smallhorn (Oakville, ON), John and Jennifer Webb, Peter and Linda Webb, and Tim and Shannon Webb (all of Vancouver, BC); great and great-great nephews and nieces - Joshua Webb (Leaha), Jaxon, Roxy; Benjamin Webb (JennaMae); Karyn Sarginson, April, Elizabeth; Geoffrey Boehmer (Ellen), William Boehmer; Madelyn Webb (Eric), Brad Webb; Carter Buchanan (Abbi); David Buchanan (Katie); Henry Smallhorn; Geoffrey Webb; Rory Webb; Sean Webb; and Jaqueline Webb and Josephine Webb.

Elva worked at Webb’s Menswear until the store closed.  Soon after, Elva attended Hollingshead Business College, learning the skills that made her a sought-after executive secretary for the next thirty years.   Elva lived with her mother on Premier Way and then moved to the Richelieu condo, continuing to care for her mother until her death.  She loved to spend time with her brothers visiting and holidaying in Vancouver and Vancouver Island with Don and his family. Also journeying to Mississauga and Muskoka with her brother Bill and his family. She was a second mother to Doug when he returned to Calgary and lived with her and Grandma Pete. Later she became a de facto third grandma to Josh and Ben enjoying time spent with them and their families.

Elva’s dedication extended to her church family at Bethany Chapel where she used her skills to serve – being an assistant to Gary Inrig, typing his first book and bulletins week after week (after week!) and proofing annual reports. Over the decades she served in the Sunday School, Up & Overs, the Prayer Chain, and the kitchen both at Bethany & Camp Okotoks. Elva often was the chauffeur for friends to social activities and church events. Elva continued active service into her nineties, doing visitation and chauffeuring to appointments until she turned 90 years.

She loved to travel, visiting Israel, Europe, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Alaska – once by car and twice by cruise ship. She was adventurous and daring. She curled, X-country skied, tobogganed, and even tried tubing behind the ski boat and jumping off the boathouse with her great-nephews and nieces. Elva was an avid Stampeders fan. She and her friend Donna Humphries purchased season tickets for many years and would go the games whatever the weather!

In recent years, Elva’s health journey became more difficult – several falls with broken bones, long rehabilitation, and recovery in hospital, while enduring the isolation of lockdowns. She never complained and was grateful for every day. Her attitude was an inspiration to all who came into her orbit.

Elva lived a great life! She loved her Lord and desperately wanted to go to heaven. We celebrate her life and rejoice in the knowledge that she is now in the presence of her Savior.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bethany Chapel, Calgary on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Elva’s service streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@BethanyChapelofCalgary on the day of the service. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Those interested in a charitable donation in Elva’s memory could be directed to Bethany Chapel – Up and Overs Senior Ministry, www.bethanychapel.com/donate.

In living memory of Elva Webb, 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.