Obituary of Verna Delina Parker

January 8, 1937 - Fox Valley, Saskatchewan

November 12, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Verna Parker (nee Roth), beloved wife of the late Lyle Parker, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the age of 87 years.

Verna was born on January 8, 1937, at the family farmhouse in Fox Valley, SK. She attended a one-room school called Schtrasfeld, and at the age of eighteen, moved to Maple Creek to work as a telephone operator. She then moved to Calgary in 1956 where she met and married her husband of 62 years, Lyle Parker.

Verna spent many years at home raising her three children, then joined Lyle as co-owner of Parker Tire & Gas Hut. Moving forward after their years with the service station, Verna loved her last job the most, which was a time-share position as a receptionist at Kerr McGee. She worked alongside her dear friend, Ina Franks.

Verna was a great cook famous for her homemade buns and pies. She loved to entertain, and family occasions were frequent, as well as the parties and holidays with their dearest friends, affectionately known as “The Dirty Dozen”.

Her hobbies were many, from knitting, crocheting, and macrame, to curling, golfing and bridge. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed the weekly bridge group at Inglewood which still runs to this day.

Verna’s favourite holidays often included spending time with her best friend and sister, Naomi Norman, and her family, no matter where they lived in Canada. Verna also enjoyed many trips to Vegas and Palm Springs, always with a side of golf, good friends, and family. Her quick wit and sense of humour made her ‘one of the good ones’. She was fun to be around, always there to help or to lighten someone’s day as needed.

Her five grandchildren and their spouses and babies have been a huge and happy part of Verna’s life. Many cuddles with the great-grandbabies, and many games of crib have been played over the years, with money on the line and many a sharp comment followed up with laughter when the ‘wrong’ person would win.

She was our matriarch, and she will be missed!

Verna is survived by her two daughters, Melody Martyn (Ken-deceased), Kelly Lessard (Jim), and her son Dennis (Cheryl); five grandchildren, Jason (Erica), Bradley (Brittany), Tori (Maggie), Carisa (Tom), and Sara (Jori); and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Zoey, Lewis, Baker, and Nathan. All of whom live in Calgary.

Verna is also survived by her sister, Naomi Norman (Garry) of Calgary, their three sons, Lance (Christina), Elliot, and Cameron (Tina); her brother, Irvin (Lee) of Medicine Hat, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Verna was predeceased by her husband, Lyle, her son-in-law, Ken Martyn, and two of her brothers and their wives, Albert (Margarite) Roth, and Melvin (June) Roth.

A Celebration of Verna’s Life and luncheon will be held for family and close friends to share stories and memories on Saturday, December 7, 2024.  

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

In living memory of Verna Parker, 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.