Obituary of Mildred Elaine Travis

February 21, 1926 – Toronto, Ontario
April 2, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with sadness, but a sense of peace that we announce the passing of Mildred (Midge) Travis, as she passed away in her sleep on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the age of 97 years. 

Midge was predeceased by her loving husband, Ken Travis, her son, Mark, her brother Stanley Webber (Lynn), former husband, Tom Sunderland, and her sister, Doris Rootham. She is survived by her brother, Alan Webber (Jennifer); five children, Susan Robertson, Nancy Inglis (Bruce), Gordon Sunderland (Linda), Sandra Sunderland, and Karen Foster (Ken); and twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

Midge was born in Scarborough, Ontario, to Stanley and Florence Webber on February 21, 1926. During the war, she joined the Farmerette Brigade as a farm worker in the summers of 1943 and 1944 supporting the war effort. She began working at the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital after earning her University of Toronto Occupational Therapy Diploma in 1946. She worked until her marriage to Tom Sunderland and expecting her first child. The family moved to Calgary in 1962 where Midge kept busy campaigning for the Conservative Party and teaching sewing at home and SAIT while raising her family. Midge attended the University of Alberta from 1974 to 1976 earning her a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) degree and was subsequently employed as a Psychiatric OT at the Holy Cross Hospital. Throughout her life, Midge served on several boards including Ladies Conservatives, Red Cross, YMCA, and the U of C Senate for two three-year terms. 

On June 29, 1979, Midge married Ken Travis. Midge built a special relationship with Ken’s five children, especially Gord and Stuart Travis. During their marriage of forty years, Midge and Ken travelled the world, attended many World President’s Organization (WPO) conferences, parties together, and had many adventures. Midge and Ken also owned Bonfit Dressmaking Patterner company which developed into a successful online company. After Ken’s death, Midge worked diligently to put together memoirs on Ken’s life to share with his friends and family. Midge led a full life and died peacefully in her own home. She will be missed. 

Midge’s family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at The Ranchman Estates, Alberta Health Services, and Calgary’s Palliative Care for all their assistance. We also wish to send a very special heartfelt thank you to Janis Care Services for their care and professionalism for not just looking after her, but for their extraordinary thoughtful assistance they provided her in her last weeks. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be given to the charity of choice.

In living memory of Midge, 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.