Obituary of Noreen Carole Kary

April 18, 1938 - Cereal, Alberta

November 2, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Noreen Kary, beloved wife of Harry “Richard” Kary, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Noreen was born in Cereal, AB, on April 18, 1938. She grew up in the hamlet of Hemaruka, AB. She moved to Calgary, AB, in 1955 to complete her senior year of high school. In 1956, she began her nursing studies at the Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1958 with her Registered Nurse designation.

Noreen and Richard were married on June 5, 1959, embarking on a loving partnership that lasted for 65 years.

Noreen accomplished much throughout her life and was particularly proud of her nursing career. After graduating from nursing school in June 1958, she worked on the Pediatric unit at the Holy Cross Hospital. While starting and raising her family, Noreen worked relief on various units at the Holy Cross Hospital. She then worked at the Baker Memorial Sanitorium for two and a half years. She also worked briefly at the Bow Crest Nursing Home. After completing her nursing refresher course, Noreen worked for Alberta Health Services Tuberculosis Services at the Calgary TB Clinic. She retired from nursing in the year 2000.

She was also an avid reader. She loved a good mystery novel as well as historical fiction, often reading up to one novel each week. She also learned the craft of mosaic tiling using cut glass. Together, Noreen and Richard made several beautiful tables, gifting them to family and friends.

Noreen will be most remembered for her unwavering love and support to her family. Of particular importance, Sunday was the day she would lovingly prepare all that was needed for the family to gather for dinner. Around the Sunday dinner table was where she shared the latest book she was reading and kept up with the goings on in the daily lives of her children, grandchildren, and other family members.

Besides her loving husband Richard, Noreen is survived by her son Robert Kary, daughter Virginia Kary, son Richard “Mark” Kary and daughter-in-law Charis Stewart of Calgary, AB; four grandchildren, Raven Kary of Victoria, BC, Neve Kary, Claire Kary, and Amelia Kary, of Calgary, AB; and one great-grandson Richard Kary-Gordon of Victoria, BC.

Noreen is also survived by her sister Sheila (Bill, deceased) Taylor of Calgary, AB; sister-in-law Lilly (William, deceased) Kary, of Veteran, AB; sister-in-law Shirley (Bennie, deceased) Kary, of Veteran, AB; sister-in-law Harriet (Ben, deceased) Peters of Kamloops, BC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Noreen was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Olga Manion; her brother Lawrence and sister-in-law Audrey Manion, brother Arthur “Red” and sister-in-law June Manion.

At Noreen’s request, no formal funeral service will be held. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Noreen’s memory may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

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

In living memory of Noreen Kary, 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: 403-276-2296.