Obituary of Audrey Elaine Williams

June 8, 1931 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

June 25, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Elaine Williams, who passed away peacefully with family by her side at the age of 93 years. Elaine is predeceased by her husband, John; parents, Alfred and Aileen Tempest; and brother Ron Tempest.

Elaine is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Leslie O’Shaughnessy (Bob), Laurel Carpenter, and Lynne Williams; grandchildren, Jenna Ostrowerka (Thomas), David O’Shaughnessy (Sinead), Michael Carpenter (Carly), Patrick O’Shaughnessy (Blakeley), and Ryan O’Shaughnessy (Nadia); and great-grandchildren, Audrey Ostrowerka, Isla O’Shaughnessy, John O’Shaughnessy, and Mac Carpenter.

Elaine was born in Winnipeg, MB, and grew up in the Crescentwood neighbourhood. She attended Rupertsland School (now part of Balmoral Hall) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. Elaine worked for Eaton’s and the Winnipeg Public Library but spent most of her career employed with the Manitoba Department of Education as a correspondence teacher, a role she retired from in 1986.

Whytewold was a very special and memorable place for Elaine. She spent her summers there as a young girl, and it is where she met John Williams in 1947. Their first date was at Winnipeg Beach, where they took a stroll on the boardwalk and rode the rollercoaster several times before returning home on the Moonlight train. They married five years later, in 1952, and remained happily married until he passed away in 2019. They raised their three beautiful daughters in the East Kildonan neighbourhood of Winnipeg and continued to spend their summers in Whytewold, where they eventually built their own cottage, which Elaine endearingly named the “Latin Quarter”. Upon retirement, they moved permanently to the “Latin Quarter” and spent many years wintering in Arizona. In their last years together, they resided at River Ridge Retirement Residence in Winnipeg. In August 2023, Elaine moved to Aspen Heights Retirement Residence in Calgary to be closer to her family.

Elaine was an avid bridge player. She also loved to read and listen to opera and classical music. As a young girl, Elaine was fortunate to journey across Canada and the U.S. with her parents and brother on several occasions, and as a result, she developed an enthusiasm for travel. Two of her most memorable adventures came later in life when she visited the U.K. (the homeland of her father) and took a trip with John to Italy (the homeland of his father).

Elaine was highly intelligent, strong-willed, and had a witty sense of humor. She was devoted to her family and never missed an opportunity to celebrate or send well wishes for birthdays and other milestones. Elaine will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her family and many cherished friends. We take tremendous comfort in knowing that she is at peace and reunited with John, her beloved husband.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal service.

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

In living memory of Elaine Williams, 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.