Obituary of Delores Elizabeth Maynard

August 11, 1943 – Leader, Saskatchewan

November 1, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Small in stature but big in opinion, Delores Elizabeth Maynard (Miller), born August 11, 1943, in Leader, SK, never left you hanging. With her loving daughters at her side, Delores passed to her next adventure on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Rockyview General Hospital, cared for by a loving and compassionate nursing staff from Unit 84 and the palliative team. 

A spontaneous giggle, full-on laugh, or a sharp “No” immediately signalled the direction for the next stage of the conversation. In recent times Delores continued to tease anyone teasable and still cracked us up with some very witty lines.

Growing up on the family farm, in Richmound, SK, Delores kept busy with the multitude of chores and tasks necessary to keep everything running. When she was old enough, helping her mom with household duties for a family of eight, Delores picked up valuable lessons about making a good meal and stretching a dollar– both of which served her and her own family in the years ahead. Like many prairie teens, Delores played softball during her time growing up in Richmound and she often liked to mention how much she enjoyed it.

When the time came to venture out on her own, Delores worked as a waitress while living in a boarding house in Estevan, SK. Whether or not she was looking for love, it was there she met Bob, and their never-ending love sparkled. They married in Medicine Hat in 1964 and spent the next several years moving several times including stops in Ontario, Quebec, and back to Estevan, SK, for a long-term stay.

Kids appeared as a bonus to their cross-country adventures following Bob’s work in the pipeline corrosion business. Rose arrived in 1965 in Estevan, Rob in 1967 in Quebec, and Nadine in 1972 back in Estevan. While keeping the house and the kids engaged in their activities, Delores’ skills as a bowler also emerged. Trophies and titles followed as did a near-perfect game—just one strike from glory. Of course, all kinds of fun ensued as the post-tournament celebrations often turned into some adult fun. There were even a few jams in the house on Eva Street and Mom chimed in with some accordion playing. Classic country tunes rarely left the airwaves inside Delores’ home for decades—sometimes to the chagrin of her kids.

In 1978, the family moved to Calgary into a house in Cedarbrae at the edge of the city. During her time in Estevan, she moved away from being a homemaker and started her career with Safeway. Soon, she was working at the Calgary Woodbine Safeway, where she worked for fifteen years. Often, when Delores was out and about, people would approach her and comment on knowing her from the Woodbine store. She was a loved employee, and she worked her way up to a variety of positions within the store. Her work there and her skills managing the household books kept the family afloat on more than one occasion when things were lean with Bob’s small business, as well as the fluctuations in oil and gas. After Safeway, Delores started her own cleaning business, applying her strong work ethic and attention to detail impressing all her clients.

Family camping trips and road trips around North America filled the years with great memories. Delores, Bob, and family camped with their trailer across Western Canada, making their way to Tofino several times. In their last years of camping, both Delores and Bob loved to pull the trailer out to Blue Rock campground near Turner Valley. Later, after the kids were out of the house, they retired from camping. Delores and Bob travelled to Alaska, Niagara, and Nova Scotia. Multiple Las Vegas trips replaced their love of camping.

When the children grew older, Bob and Delores moved to their dream home in Shawnessy where Mom filled her spare time working in her yard to create a beautiful garden. Neighbors often would say hello as Mom and Dad sat on their front porch in the evening, and many family gatherings and celebrations were held on their back deck.

Delores was endearingly called “Tiny Grandma” as grandchildren arrived on the scene. Roisin and Denis were first, followed by Kaleb, Carl, and Ronan. The office in the Shawnessy house soon transformed into the games, books, and puzzle room. All the grandkids would immediately head to the playroom/office upon arrival. Their favorite game to play with Tiny was “Sorry”. Mom hosted sleepovers, took the little ones to Boston Pizza and playtime at the Y, and attended numerous plays, sports events, and dance recitals.

For most of these years, Delores faithfully cooked huge and delicious turkey meals at Easter and Thanksgiving. After 50 years of making those meals, cooking 100 turkeys, she hung up the apron making it very clear she had cooked enough. She and Bob regularly visited a few nearby restaurants such as Mr. Schnapps and were known on a first-name basis with the staff. If one ever wandered down for a visit with Delores and Bob in the later years, you would often find yourself at Mr. Schnapps meeting the staff. They were devastated when their favorite restaurant closed.

In the last decade, they left their beloved house and garden in Shawnessy and moved to a condo in Evergreen, where they developed new friendships. They even continued to host smaller family Christmas gatherings. Their door was always open for visits from their children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Delores is survived by her two daughters, Rose (Mark) Maynard and Nadine (Steve) Favell; and her five grandchildren, Roisin (Miller) Wiens, Denis Ouellette, Kaleb Favell, Carl Favell, and Ronan Favell.

Delores is also survived by her sisters, Adeline Gunderman, Loretta (Ernie) Lefebvre, and Maggie (Willie) Durrshnabel, and brother, James Miller, with a multitude of nieces and nephews across Western Canada.

Delores was predeceased by her loving husband, Bob, in 2023; her beloved son, Robert, in 2018; her parents, Mary (2015) and Mathias Miller (1984); and her sisters, Violet (2014), Irene (2018), and Jeanette (2009).

A Celebration of Delores’ Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Maynard’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes to Delores Elizabeth Maynard may be made directly to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2 Telephone: 1 (888) 566-5864. www.ab.lung.ca.

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

In living memory of Delores Maynard, 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.

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