Obituary of Nellie Olwen Frances Befus

August 4, 1927 – Calgary, Alberta

January 5, 2025 – Calgary, Alberta

Nellie Olwen Frances Befus (nee Huish), beloved mother and grandmother during her 97 incredible years of life, passed away peacefully in the morning hours of Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Nellie will be forever missed by her family; her children, Judy McNish (Reg), Michael Befus (Charlene), Dave Befus and daughter-in-law Robin Melnyk-Befus; her grandchildren, Corry Devos, Liana Eddy (Nevin), and Koralee Loria (John); five great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Nellie was one who also loved many others and considered them as family; Kimberly McCullough, Stephen, and Hayden Churchill. Nellie was predeceased by her parents, Nellie Mabel and Francis Charles Huish, brother Harry Huish, sister Doreen Firomski and her son Larry Befus. She has one other sister, Ruth Manning.

Nellie was born in Calgary, AB, on August 4, 1927. She went to work at the age of fifteen at the CPR freight office, where she worked as a messenger girl and mail clerk. Nellie married Albert Befus in 1945 and went on to have four children. She worked at the Metropolitan Store, spent time taking care of five men in a group home, and worked for the Golden Age Club.

Once the children were grown, she became an avid volunteer at the Calgary Public Library, delivering books to shut-ins, delivering meals through Meals on Wheels, and other services through the Lions Club, the Lioness Club, Bethany Care Centre, and the Sarcee Auxiliary Extended Care Facility.

In 1995, she received the John Dutton “Volunteer of the Year” award. In 2003, Nellie became a Salvation Army Soldier (Adherent), attending the Calgary Glenmore Temple Corps, where she devoted her life to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. As Nellie aged, she had to cut back on the amount of volunteering due to health reasons, but she continued with the Calgary Public Library until April 2024, where she was recognized for 50 years of service.

As Nellie continued to age and her health slowly declined, she never stopped walking through the halls of her lodge and spending time with her friends at Aspen, having supper at Denny’s with family, short shopping adventures, and constant visits with family and friends. She was truly a remarkable, kind, and loving woman who impacted all the people she met and spent time with throughout her life.

We want to give a huge thank you to the AgeCare Skypointe staff (Whitehorn West) for their compassionate care of Nellie during her short stay with them, as well as the new friends she made who kept a close eye on her.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Salvation Army Calgary – Poppy Fund, 420 9 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2G 0R9, Telephone: 403-410-1111, www.calgarypoppyfund.com or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

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

In living memory of Nellie Befus, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.