Obituary of Edna Elizabeth Dunn

July 9, 1929 – Wokingham, Berkshire, England

September 29, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Edna Elizabeth Dunn (nee Lillywhite) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the age of 95 years.

Edna was born in Wokingham, Berkshire, England on July 9, 1929. She married Robert “Brian” Dunn in 1954, had two children, Philip and Jacqueline “Jackie”, and in 1969, the family immigrated to Canada and settled in Ottawa.

When she was sixteen, Edna loved her volunteer job with the St. John Ambulance Brigade. As a young mum, she volunteered with the Brownies. After immigrating to Canada, she volunteered for Information Gloucester in Ottawa, as well as every church she attended. She also loved singing and joined the choirs at Midlands United Church and Red Deer Lake United Church.

Edna enjoyed several pastimes. With her incredible eyesight and steady hand, she sewed, knitted, crocheted, hooked rugs, embroidered, and loved her ceramics classes. She even took a woodworking course and made a clothes prop for the washing line. She was an avid crossword player, and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, Scrabble, Mexican Train, and a few years ago, discovered Rummikub. With Brian, she was in a five-pin bowling league and was pleased to find she was quite good at it. Edna loved to bake and made epic Christmas cakes that included little reindeer hoof marks and sleigh tracks in the icing.

She hummed and sang around the house, and music was always playing. Edna loved to dance, and she loved people. She especially loved puppies, babies, and small children. Edna loved to chat and could spend longer at the door saying goodbye than she did during a whole visit. She was humble and kind and enjoyed simple pleasures. Edna didn’t say much about her accomplishments. She was proud of herself, though, for learning to drive when she was 40.

After her marriage to Brian ended, Edna moved from Ottawa to Calgary to be closer to her grandchildren. She loved being part of their lives and watching them grow up. Edna had a quick wit and a good sense of humour. She was an active, loving, caring woman, who made friends easily. Edna was an avid participant in the wonderful recreation program at Mayfair Care Centre, where she lived for the past two years.

Edna was predeceased by her parents, Mildred and George Horne; brothers, George and David Horne; son-in-law Dennis Walters and former husband, Brian.

She is survived by her son Philip (Margaret) of Portage la Prairie, MB, daughter Jackie Walters of Calgary, AB, two grandchildren, Steven and Barry (Ranu) Walters; and great-granddaughters, Zoey and Shyla Walters, all of Calgary.

Edna is also survived by her sisters, Enid (Alan) Kebble and Dianne (Chris) Thorpe, of England; and sisters-in-law, Linda Horne of England, and Lynn Horne of the USA; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Edna’s family would like to thank Mayfair Care Centre staff for their outstanding and compassionate care.

A Celebration of Edna’s Life will be held at Red Deer Lake United Church (96187 Spruce Meadows Green SW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. MST. Reception to follow in the Church Hall.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Edna’s service streamed live on the day of the service here: https://youtube.com/live/14P5C-z1Zko.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403) 290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com or The War Amps, Telephone: 1-800-250-3030,  www.waramps.ca.

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

In living memory of Edna Elizabeth Dunn, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.