Obituary of Harmena Radsma

1948 - 2023

Harmena Radsma passed away peacefully on Monday, June 26, 2023. Born in Haarlem, The Netherlands, on 13 November 1948, she made the immigration journey to Canada with her parents and two sisters, arriving in Calgary in June 1953.

Talented and intelligent, Harmena taught herself whatever she wanted to learn, whether playing guitar or piano, crocheting or knitting, running, or cycling.  An avid reader, her bookshelves revealed the expanse of her literary interests: biography and memoir, Holocaust, and war, as well as contemporary and classical literature. Likewise, her CD collection revealed her passion for classical music. In her younger years, she rose to the challenge of debating philosophy and theology with her father at the dinner table.

She graduated from Bowness High School in 1966 after which she remained employed in the service sector. Among her positions, she assisted children on the Calgary Public Library’s Bookmobile; hosted at a lodge in Banff; provided reception at a Penticton medical office; and cared for a child as his nanny. Harmena also waited tables at various eateries in Calgary.  She retired in 2013 after a decade at Rosedale Hospice where she served as a health care aide, a role she considered as the most significant of her working life.

Predeceased by her parents, Ted, and Susan Radsma, she is survived by her sisters (Joanne Van Wieren, Helen Koning, Jenny Radsma, and Frances Radsma), as well as nieces, nephew, and their families.

Appreciation is extended to the staff at Peter Lougheed Hospital and Silvera Lodge in Shawnessy, with special thanks offered to Helen and John Koning, and Andrea Currie, and a shout-out to her friends who knew her as “Harmony.”

A Reception for family and friends to honour and share memories of Harmena will be held at the lounge of the Emerald Ridge condo building (40 Parkridge View SE, T2J 7G6; parking on the street) on

Tuesday, July 11, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.

In living memory of Harmena Radsma, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.