Obituary of Justina GRAY

GRAY, Justina (nee Doerksen) June 27, 1930 – R.M. of Rhineland, MB November 13, 2013 – Calgary, AB Sadly, Josie passed away on November 13th after an extended struggle with kidney disease. Josie was born, raised and educated in southern Manitoba. Like many farm girls before her, she moved to the city, Winnipeg, and worked in the accounting section of the Canadian Wheat Board before moving to Prince Rupert. It wasn’t long before she set her sights on Calgary. Josie fell in love with two things in Calgary, the mountains and her future husband, Jim, who she met on a “learn-to-ski” lesson at the base of Mt. Norquay. Jim always recognized that he was the big winner from that encounter. Josie’s family – her children Christine (Bob) of Vancouver, Janice (Brad) of Vernon, and Ken (Bev) of Canmore, as well as her grandchildren, Meghan, Josie, Sydney, Jane and Jimmy, and Jim, her husband of 52 years – were always the principal focus of her life – her everything. To very near the end, Josie treasured her weekends at the family retreat at Harvie Heights near Canmore and the many holiday excursions to the Okanagan cottage – always in the context of her family. Josie was both quick-witted and physically active. Her interest in books and crossword puzzles attests to the former. Her passion for tennis, golf, hiking and skiing kept her fit and happy. She also loved to travel, often with one or more of her children. The entire family, but particularly Josie, is exceptionally grateful for the wonderful medical staff and, most of all, to the exceptional nurses and other staff members at the Sheldon Chumir Hemodialysis Unit for their extraordinary care. Josie came to regard them as family. Josie’s family is both saddened and grateful upon her passing. They are grateful for her wisdom, humour, patience, strength and energy. They are all wonderfully fortunate to have had Josie as a wife, mother and grandmother. Josie’s wishes were for a private ceremony, a time of both reflection and celebration, for the extended family. Should you desire, donations in Josie’s memory can be made directly to the Calgary Health Trust – “Sheldon Chumir Centre Community Hemodialysis Unit”. In living memory of Justina Gray a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.