Obituary of Beverly Diane Ellefson

May 31, 1937 - Regina, Saskatchewan

July 20, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Beverly Ellefson, beloved wife of Jack Ellefson of Calgary, passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the age of 86 years.

Beverly was the first child of Gordon and Violet (Dolly) Medhurst, born in Regina, SK. Bev and Jack met as schoolmates in Wilkie, SK where teenage Jack walked Bev home from school daily. Shortly after her graduation as an RN from the Saskatoon City Hospital in 1958, they were married.  Bev maintained contact with her fellow grads throughout her lifetime and proudly attended many reunions with her class of ’58. 

Bev soon had three young sons to care for, Fred, Tom and Ted, as the family moved around Alberta, particularly back and forth between Edmonton and Calgary.  While managing her busy family, Bev made the decision in 1974 to attend the University of Calgary and was granted a BA in Psychology, minoring in English, in 1981.  Bev was a rarity as a mature female student, who was a full-time mother with a family.  Bev worked at the Calgary Family Service Bureau from 1986 to 1997, as manager, acting president and Director of Caregiver Service.  This job enabled Bev to use both her health care and social service knowledge to assist elderly, youth, and families in crisis.  She loved her job and the many connections she made with other strong women running similar services. Bev was the President of Homesupport Canada from 1990-1992, and in 1996 under her leadership, the Bureau hosted the Family Service Canada annual national convention. 

Bev loved learning and after retirement she audited several world religion and history classes at the U of C to expand her world view as she travelled the globe.  She was extremely well read and always had a book on the go and a knitting project to finish.

And oh, how she loved to travel!  Bev went on trips to Europe, China, Russia, Egypt, Central America and several European river boat cruises with her travel partners Denise, Don and Phyllis.  She also enjoyed frequent vacations in Hawaii and Oxnard, California with Jack.

Above all, Bev loved being with her family.  Her three boys, their wives and six grandchildren were her greatest joy, and the happiest hours of her life were spent with them.  She delighted in taking the grandkids to The Nutcracker ballet or the play The Christmas Carol, the zoo, the aquarium, on an Alaskan cruise or baking cookies and pies with them.  Christmas was her favourite time of year, as she was surrounded by family. Her favourite saying after a family dinner together was always, “I am so lucky!”  She enriched all our lives beyond measure, and we thank her for the countless memories of fun family times together. We were truly the lucky ones for having her in our lives.

Bev is survived by her husband Jack; sons, Fred (Kim), Tom (Diana) and Ted (Karen); six grandchildren; her sister, Pat; sister-in-law, Joan (Aziz); and five nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff and Dr. Woodhouse at The Manor Village at Varsity, as well as Dr. Sider and the nursing staff at the Foothills Hospital for the care they provided to Bev.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bev's name, may be made directly to Calgary Meals on Wheels, 5759 80 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 4S6 Telephone: (403) 243-2834, www.mealsonwheels.com.

A Celebration of Beverly’s Life be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Beverly Ellefson, 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.