Obituary of Lucy Curran

January 20, 1929 - Manchester, United Kingdom

December 25, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Lucy Curran (nee Bentley), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023, at the age of 94 years. January 20, 2024, Mom would have celebrated 95 years of courage, strength, and resiliency.

Lucy was born in Manchester, England, on January 20, 1929. Mom and Dad were joined by marriage on February 15, 1947.

Lucy was a talented Seamstress while working in Manchester and she brought this talent with her when Albert and Lucy, along with their children, Dorothy, David, and Susan, immigrated to Canada on November 23, 1951.

She made many dresses for her girls that they were proud to wear and display. Mom always wore a housedress and apron in her daily life and her pockets were full of tissues used to wipe wet noses or tears.

Lucy Curran was the proud mother to nine children, grandmother of 18, great-grandmother of 24, and great-great-grandmother of two. Family gatherings were always busy times.

Mom made the best pastry and when asked, she would always make time to welcome to her home those who would like lessons to prepare the flakey pastry. Mom’s cream puffs were enjoyed at many family and church gatherings. Her bread buns will be forever remembered coming hot from the oven with the butter and jam pot waiting. There were always plenty of her famous chocolate chip cookies ready to be eaten as is, or dunked in your teacup.

A member of the Salvation Army Women’s Home League, Lucy was always there to lend a helping hand in all circumstances. Lucy was also a Girl Guide Leader and many girls flourished under Mom’s direction.

For many years, Mom was in charge of the Calgary Herald Depot for the neighbourhood and had a garage built in the backyard of the home on 18th Avenue NW to shelter the carriers and give them a place to roll their newspapers prior to delivery. In the winter months, a wood stove provided heat for the Herald Carriers.

Mom was a fantastic cook, a great friend to many, a Day Home Mom, and a Foster Mother.

Mom instilled polite and refined behaviour in her children. She welcomed over 49 foster children to her arms, many who were days old and some that came as babies from unusual circumstances. 

Lucy was predeceased by her husband, Albert in 2002 and her daughters, Janice in 1966 and Dorothy in 2005. Lucy was also predeceased by her son, Mark in 2009. Grandson, Shawn, and great-grandson, Christian, also predeceased their grandmother at an early age. Lucy’s siblings, Ernie, Edna, Fred, and Joyce also predeceased Mom.

Our family has lost a very precious Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother.

Her work on earth has come to an end and she did one heck of a job!!

A Memorial Service will be celebrated at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church (7103 – 20A Street S.E., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Reception to follow at the church. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Lucy’s family here.

In living memory of Lucy Curran, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.