Obituary of Sue Reay

December 7, 1922 - Horley, Surrey, England

January 21, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Aileen (Sue) Reay of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the age of 101 years.

Sue Reay was born in Horley, Surrey, England on December 7, 1922. While named Aileen, her nickname as a baby was ‘Sue’ and it is the name she went with her entire life. She began the Second World War as a student, and ended it as a mother, having met and married her husband Cpl Jack Reay of the Canadian Provost Corps in a bomb shelter, and marrying in 1943. He had proposed in 1942, but she needed some time to think about it. She trained as a stenographer and worked in London throughout the war.

She moved to Edmonton, AB, in 1946 with her daughter, Susan. Sue continued her work as a stenographer in Edmonton, and then in Calgary in 1972 after the passing of Jack. When she retired in 1981, they appeared to have dispensed with her entire profession, which disappeared at about the same time.

Sue experienced upheavals of global historical and personal natures alike, but her anchor was her family. She often expressed love through cooking and baking and continued to learn and explore in the kitchen throughout her life.

Sue is survived by her daughter Susan, grandchildren Stephen Johnston and Jennifer Erfle, her husband Craig Erfle, and great-grandchildren, Cassidy Poje and Zachary Poje. Sue was predeceased by her husband John (Jack) Reay, her parents, her sisters, Mary and Bill, her brother John, her stepdaughter Pat Hanson, Pat’s children Bill and Brad Esplin, and her son-in-law Richard Johnston.

Sue’s family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Unit 61 at Rockyview General Hospital, and particularly Dr. Simmons, for the exceptional care Sue received in her final days.

A Celebration of Sue’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Sue’s family here.

In living memory of Sue Reay, 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: 403-299-0111.