Obituary of Carole June Carpenter

December 4, 1946 - Calgary, Alberta

July 20, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness, that our cutie pie mom; Carole June Carpenter-Gjertsen passed away at home on a beautiful summer’s morning on July 20, 2023, with her beloved daughters, Dana and Jennifer at her side.

Mom was born in Calgary, Alberta on December 4, 1946, followed minutes later by her unexpected twin sister, Cheryl Joan Carpenter.  Her parents Queenie and Gordon Carpenter raised the twins, and their brothers Bill, Bob, and Michael in the Soldier’s Settlement in Bowness.  Growing up in Bowness, Mom’s childhood was filled with pets, gardening, and hours spent exploring the Paskapoo Slopes, it’s ‘big rock’, and the larger Bowness community.

Mom loved and was deeply involved in her community of Bowness. She was instrumental in starting the Bowness Historical Society and helped compile the two Bowness History Books; ‘Our Village in the Valley’ and ‘Bowness: Past and Present’.  She continued to meet with her four childhood friends, Cathy, Louise, Diana, and Inga.

Mom was smart, funny, beautiful, determined, and incredibly strong, even in her final hours. She cleared bush out at our cabin growing up, volunteered with the YMCA new immigrant program in the 1980s, and worked for the Native Friendship Society here in Calgary.

She was so loved and adored by many. She was a person who loved to be surrounded by laughter. Her final days were spent as she lived – going for walks in Bowness, being in the company of loved ones, being doted on by her nieces Megan and Rachel and her daughters, visiting with her grandchildren, impromptu kitchen parties, petting cats and dogs, laughter and love. She will be so missed. 

Mom was predeceased by her parents, her older brother Bill, her husband Kjell, and her twin sister and best friend Cheryl.  She is survived by her brothers Bob (Raymonde, nieces Emilee, Beverley, and Isobel) and Michael (Pam, nieces Melissa and Tristan), niece Lara and nephew Brook, her beloved daughters Dana and Jennifer, her stepson Tyrone, her grandchildren Nico, Tony, Bruno and Henry, her sons in law Paul and Dave, her ex-husband and friend Geordie, her nieces Megan and Rachel, their husbands Dan and Jake, and their children Poppy, Dalia, Cole, Winston and Isla, and many, many friends.

We would like to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to the nurses for the incredible care and kindness you showed to our mom.  Mom really enjoyed meeting you all.  Thank you to the palliative home care team of Tobi, Sydney, Kim and Dr. Lindy Murphy.  Thank you to the Para-Med nurses Coco, Meisha, and Christine who stayed with our mom around the clock.  We’d also like to thank mom’s family physician, Dr. Amna Khatoon who took such good care of mom.

A memorial celebration will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. This celebration will now be taking place at  Bowness Scout & Lions Hall (8551 Bowness Rd NW, Calgary, AB )

In living memory of Carole Carpenter, 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.