Obituary of Orvilla Louise Armstrong

February 2, 1930 – Pilkington Township, Wellington County, Ontario

November 15, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

 

The family of Orvilla Armstrong is so very saddened to announce her passing on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the age of 94 years.

 

Our dearest matriarch has been reunited with her beloved husband of 71 years, Elvin, adoring sons, Robert (Bob) and Ken; and numerous other family members.

 

She is survived by her loving son and daughter, James (Jim) (Tess) Armstrong and Elizabeth (Betty) (Randy) Mercer; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she adored.

 

Her family was her greatest joy, and get-togethers were filled with love and laughter.

 

Orvilla was born at home in the front room of her mother and father’s house. She was the youngest of three children, and the only daughter. Her stature was smaller than her siblings and they lovingly teased her throughout her life.

 

Orvilla’s father died when she was a young child, and she grew up quickly thereafter. She helped her mother in any way that she could. The peddling of her mom’s homemade bread and buns became a regular task.

 

The family lived through hard times on the farm, and she learned a lot about love, togetherness, and perseverance. Our mom often said that her family had learned to be strong and stubborn. They had a good sense of the “stick with its”.  

 

Orvilla had a connection with animals ever since she became aware of what they were. As a child, she would fall asleep with a cat on her bed. The next morning it would magically be gone, and she’d find it out in the barn. Their dog Jack would only respond to Orvilla. All she had to say was, “Get the cows, Jack” and he would round them up and bring them to her at the gate.

 

She had countless wonderful personal experiences with animals, both domestic and wild. In her backyard, she had a chipmunk run up her leg and onto her shoulder. Her own cat was attempting to catch it, and she must have been considered a safe person to seek refuge with.

 

Orvilla enjoyed having so many pets, including many brought home by her children. She loved our dogs, cats, horse, guinea pig, canary, domesticated rat, crayfish, ducks, hamster, and turtle. She also enjoyed many wild animals including foxes, birds, deer, and more, from a distance.

 

She loved her family, gardening, nature, all animals, reading, knitting, cooking, laughing, playing games and cards, and each person she met. She loved all things in life and saw the good in everyone.

 

Orvilla never judged and never gossiped. To know her was to love her. If you had the opportunity to see her smile, listen to her gentle voice, or hear her welcoming you in with open arms, you would know in your whole being that this was a very kind, truthful, remarkable person. She once said, “It’s what’s inside that’s important. The outside is just a shell.”

 

Our mom expressed her love to us until the day before she passed away. In the end, she had made up her mind that life was for the living and her time here had been completed.

 

Although she was our “earth angel”, her heavenly father had called her home.

 

We all love you mom.

 

There will be a family service held in Elora, ON, in the spring.

 

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

 

In living memory of Orvilla Armstrong, 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.