Obituary of Lois Ann Milner (nee Hoey)

June 22, 1929 - Brandon, Manitoba

April 4, 2023 - Foothills, Alberta

Always Remembered

After a long, full and happy life Lois passed away peacefully at the age of 93 years in her sleep at her home. 

 
Lois was a prairie farm girl, born in Brandon, Manitoba. Her early education in Brandon was followed by the University of McGill, Montreal, and the University of Alberta where she received her Bachelor of Education in Physical Education. After one year of teaching in Calgary, Lois married and accompanied her husband, a construction manager, to the newly formed town of Uranium City in northern Saskatchewan where she taught. 

Moving back to Calgary, Lois’s teaching career was interrupted by having five boys. After the boys were in school Lois went back to the University of Calgary and received her diploma in Library Science and joined the Foothills School Division as a Resource manager for 12 years.

By this time, the family had moved to an acreage south of Calgary where they lived for over 48 years. Lois served for four years on the Board of the University of Calgary, and for six years on the Board of the Banff School of Fine Arts, on the Provincial Curriculum Committee, and on the executives of other groups.  

With the family grown up, there was more time for Lois’s interest in weaving and spinning and community groups such as the Sheep Creek Weavers, Country Lane Quilters, Ridge Riders, and the many friends at Red Deer Lake United Church. Lois raised a dozen sheep, sheared them herself, then washed and carded, spun, and wove the wool.

Lois and her husband enjoyed their horses and dogs and riding with the Ridge Riders in the Foothills with many mountain trails being covered. Lois and girlfriends for 20 years would get a wrangler and ride remote mountain trails for a week. Lois loved bonfires, gardening, reading good books, painting, swimming, hiking, biking, walking, sewing, quilting, knitting, and travelling, especially cruising. But her best and happiest times were when she was riding her favourite horse right from her doorstep over the countryside.  

After retirement Lois was an enthusiastic volunteer group leader for Elderhostel Travel for over 10 years doing some 50 trips in Alberta, mostly in the mountains.

Lois is survived by five sons, Roy, Bill (Maria), Robert (Diana Stuart), Harold, and Bruce (Anik Champagne); and four grandchildren, Phillip, Patrick, Jonathan and Emma. Lois was predeceased by her husband Bud after 66 years of marriage and her sister Loreen Henry.

Always grateful for such a wonderful life and proud of her five sons and their families, Lois lived her final days in her own home on her own with the help of her family for four years enjoying her mountain view sunroom. 

At Lois’s request there will be no funeral service.  A Private Family Gathering will be held later. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Lois Milner, 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.