Obituary of Barbara Doreen Wolfe

December 12, 1932 - August 16, 2023 

My mother, Barbara “Doreen” Wolfe, beloved wife of 65 years to Robert “Bob” Irvine Wolfe, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at the age of 90 years in Calgary, AB.

She was born in Toronto, ON, the third and youngest daughter of William Frederick Edwards and Mary “May” Elizabeth Edwards (nee Carey). They loved her, and told her so…in turn, she loved others, and told them so…and, knowing it was He that loved first, she made sure to tell me so. That is a legacy for which I am eternally grateful. 

Wearing many hats throughout her life (nod to Olive Stickney), my mom bore up under a significant visual handicap to pursue excellence in all she did, from award winning Home Economics graduate…to all-in Pastor’s wife and mother to me (her only child) …to Brandon University BGS Graduate (Honour Roll) …to Beaverlodge Town Counselor/Hospital Board. She was bright and fun and beautiful and classy. A bastion of common sense. A character!!!...with great character. 

Her three grandchildren have this to say:

From her oldest granddaughter, Juliana Helene Readshaw (nee Cliplef):

Grandma was larger than life. 
She ran her household with military precision and had high expectations for herself and all those in her orbit.
She was legally blind, but you would never know it unless you saw her holding the newspaper an inch from her face so that she could read it. 
She (and by extension my Mom) taught me to sit up straight and how to walk with confidence (head up shoulders back).
She was always up on the latest news and made sure to engage us in conversations about politics and the events of the day - showing genuine interest in our opinions and emphasizing the importance of being well informed.
She was a home economist, political scientist, and politician.
She was also an amazing chef, baker and chocolatier.
She had excellent taste in food, furniture, art, music, and toys. I loved to play with her toy collection and go antiquing with her around rural Alberta when we would visit her in the summer.
I am very happy that I got to organize her and my Grandpa’s 60th wedding anniversary in 2017, when she was still mostly able to appreciate it. I am also very happy that she was able to meet my daughter Simone twice, once when we visited Calgary in February 2022 and once in May 2023 earlier this year.
I love her very much and will miss her dearly.

From her grandson, Thomas David Wolfe Cliplef:

Grandma had chutzpah, a quality of humour, a clear enjoyment of music and poetry. She was generous and liked to treat people.

From her youngest granddaughter, Sophia Dawn Cliplef:
    
Grandma made the best desserts - when we went to visit, I always looked forward to a Cherry-o-Cream Pie or a Mocha Mallow Pie. And at Christmas, I eagerly awaited the traditional menagerie - Almond Tarts with pink and green icing, Chocolate Chews, and Whipped Shortbread with Maraschino Cherries on top. I hope to carry on her baking traditions :)
Grandma Sayings: “Hot Things Hot and Cold Things Cold,” “Inspect What You Expect”, “You should be on stage - the next one going out of town!”
In her later years, music remained one of the greatest joys of Grandma’s life. I remember one particular afternoon we were spending time together in her apartment, and we listened to a whole Stompin’ Tom album. She was clapping her hands, tapping her toes, and delightedly booing the bad boyfriend who was trying to get his girl back. We also had the privilege of taking her to concerts at the Calgary Civic Symphony over the last year, and she always commented how lovely it was. 
Last one: Grandma always wanted you to know that her and Grandpa were there for you. It was something she would always say when you left a visit or hung up the phone, and something she kept saying even when her capacity was limited. It was an expression of her caring, providing, heart and was very comforting to me - it is one of my sweetest memories of Grandma.

…And from a lifelong friend of mine from Brandon, MB, where we lived from 1968-1980 (Babs was our spaniel ;-):

I remember:
- tap dancing in the kitchen
- bouffant hairdo
- calling everyone “dear”
- the reproving tone when she said “Babs!” (Or Bob!)
She will be remembered and missed!

Besides her loving husband, myself and her grandchildren, Mom is survived by my husband Lloyd Cliplef; Juliana’s husband and daughter, Michael and Simone Readshaw; her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Richard McLachlan, and family; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Diane Wolfe, Beth Wolfe, Gail Wolfe and families. She is predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Bill Blea; her brother Rodney Grant Edwards; and her brothers-in-law, Ron Wolfe and Bill Wolfe. 

Memorial gifts can be made to the Beaverlodge Hospital Foundation (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/beaverlodge-hospital-foundation/), in recognition of Mom’s dedication to her role on the Beaverlodge Hospital Board, or a charity of your choice.

Her wish was for cremation and no formal service. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with the family here.

In her living memory 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.