Obituary of Rosemary Naomi Lahoda

December 29, 1930 - Drumheller, Alberta

October 24, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Rosemary Naomi (Sprouse) Lahoda passed away at the age of 92. She was born December 29, 1930, in Drumheller, AB to her parents Bessie (Troup) and Ernest Sprouse.

Rosemary, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and cousin is survived by her devoted husband of seventy years, George Lahoda; her children, David (Andree) and Cynthia; as well as her beloved six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Elenora, and Adeline Lahoda. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law, Boby (Doris), Ken (Norma) Sprouse, brothers-in-law, Stanley and Paul Lahoda, sister-in-law Alice Koop and grandson Eric Lahoda.

As a premature baby, Rosemary’s fighting spirit was evident from the start as she was taken home to Delia from the hospital with the team of horses in an apple box and placed by the fire to stay warm. Rosemary had an adventurous childhood on the Delia farm before moving to Calgary on an acreage with her parents. She attended Nose Creek, Balmoral, and Western High School before taking on clerical work in the insurance industry where she met her loving husband, George Lahoda. George and Rosemary were married on a snowy April 11, 1953, and later welcomed their children over the coming years. George and Rosemary celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary this year and were delighted to have family and friends gather on this special day.

Rosemary loved spending time in the outdoors during all seasons; camping into her eighties, cross country-skiing, skating, and swimming were some of her interests. Her favourite camping trips included coastal Oregon, visiting with dear friends in Spokane, Alaska, and jaunts out to the orchards of the Okanagan. She also spent time sewing for her children and later grandchildren with dinosaur pyjamas, and tailored coats and dresses. Rosemary liked knitting, crewel, embroidery, and making stained glass lamps and windows. There was never a challenge that she wasn’t up for. Lifelong learning was important to her, and she embraced this throughout her life. Rosemary was an avid reader of fiction and nonfiction with history being one of her favourite genres. 

Rosemary always had much-loved pets in her life. She was especially fond of Snowball and Gypsy. She also had numerous canaries over the years and would take them on a road trip to the cabin. Rosemary loved to share tales of her menagerie of animals.

Rosemary was involved with the Girl Guides as a Brownie leader in her early years. George and Rosemary were members of the Nordic Ski Club and enjoyed many years of cross-country skiing in the mountains they so dearly loved. Summers were spent hiking in these same mountains. They later built a cabin in the East Kootenay Valley and relished each stay with family and friends where numerous memories were created.

Rosemary enjoyed her career as a licensed inspector for the City of Calgary from which she had many colourful stories. Her sense of adventure never diminished and travelled as much as she could covering Asia, Europe, and her favourite trip, Australia. Rosemary was passionate about her garden and flowers in which she took great pride in and loved to share with others. When she wasn’t gardening, she could often be found in the kitchen cooking or baking for her loved ones, all while sharing stories and offering astute advice in equal measure. She will be most remembered for her strength of character, words of wisdom, bright smile, and love of family.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at Foothills Medical Centre, and Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre 3W for their compassionate care of Rosemary over the past months.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 Telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca or to Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca.

Funeral Mass will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (404 Northmount Pl NW, Calgary, AB T2K 3P9) on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Corpus Christi Hospitality  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Rosemary’s family here.

In Living memory of Rosemary, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.