Obituary of Flora Aileen McInnes

December 27, 1923 - Bowden, Alberta

May 28, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Flora McInnes beloved wife of the late Douglas Glenson McInnes of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the age of 99 and a half years.

Flora was born in Bowden, AB, on December 27, 1923.

She moved to Calgary, AB when she was five years old, in 1928.

Flora graduated high school with honors from C.C.I. and then went on to graduate at the top of her class from the Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. Following her graduation, she worked on third west at the Calgary General Hospital for 5 years before working for Dr. Rothwell & Associates for 15 years. 

Flora married Glen on September 6, 1946. Together they raised their four children in Calgary and remained married until 1983 when Glen passed. 

She was a member of the Calgary General Hospital Nurses Alumnae and was awarded the Lifetime Membership distinction. She held nearly every position within the Alumnae Association and was even the last surviving member of her graduating class.  Flora had the honor of being chosen to represent Florence Nightingale in the Candle Lighting Ceremony for the annual Alumnae Banquet for many years.  Flora also devoted endless hours as the Competition Secretary for the Calgary United Scottish Games Association.  Because of her work, she received the life member award in 2004, and she was named the Chieftain of The Day in 2005.  In 2011 she also received the Volunteer of The Year Award for her many contributions to the Watergrove Community.

Flora accomplished much through her life and was particularly proud of being chosen to complete the Book of Memory for the Calgary General Hospital, which is now on display in the chapel at the Peter Lougheed Hospital.

Flora had many hobbies, including paper tole and other crafts, for which she won many awards at the Calgary Stampede.  Her other hobbies included gardening, reading, Tai Chi, line dancing, clogging, tap dancing, belly dancing, quilling and card making, ceramics, sewing, needlework, and knitting, to name a few.  She was also a huge Blue Jays fan, even up until she passed. Flora had a soft spot in her heart for dogs.  She grew up with them her entire life and cared for many special dogs over the years.

Flora ’s most memorable vacation was when she first went to Hawaii in 1985, she loved it so much she returned six more times.  She also went on many bus tours with her friends throughout the western United States.  

She will be most remembered for her feistiness, stubbornness, and her strong sense of independence.  This enabled her to live at home, on her own until a week before she passed.

Flora is survived by her four children, Carol (Rick), Ken (Sabine), Donna (Ben), and Gordon (Lorna); her grandchildren, Kelsey, Lindsay, Cam, Jamie, Jay, and Keelan; her great-grandchildren Savannah, Desiree, Jessica, Katherine, and Brody; and her great-great-grandchildren Raiden and Arayah.

Flora was predeceased by her husband Glen and her brother Donald.

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.”  Shakespeare

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., at Watergrove Clubhouse (99 Arbour Lake Rd. NW, T3G 4P5, Calgary, AB) Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S. (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society), Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 Telephone: (403) 295-1811, www.stars.ca or The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110^th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca.

In living memory of Flora Aileen McInnes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.