PRUS – Holly Danielle Prus, B.Sc. (Honors) LLB
December 13th, 1960 – November 2nd, 2016
Holly Danielle Prus passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Holly was born on December 13th, in Winnipeg, Manitoba To Dr. Robert and Shirley Prus. Holly lived in Shoal Lake, Manitoba until 1969, when the family moved to Parry Sound, Ontario for one year, before relocating to Brooks, Alberta in 1970.
Holly graduated from Brooks Composite High School with honors in 1978. Throughout her childhood she not only excelled scholastically, but also partook in Brownies, Girl Guides, swimming, cheerleading, Reach For The Top, and many years of figure skating. Summers were enjoyed at Lake Newell, swimming, boating, canoeing, windsurfing, and attending figure skating school in various cities.
Holly continued to excel at whatever she put her mind to. She pursued her love of wildlife and the outdoors, and graduated with a B.Sc. with honors, from the University of Guelph in 1985 majoring in Biology with a minor in Physiology and biomedical sciences. Holly loved her biology career, which took her from Delta Marsh, to K-Country, Brooks, Edmonton, Maple Ridge, and every marsh and duck nest in between.
Her insatiable thirst for knowledge was evidenced not only by the thousands of books in her life, but also by her quest to attend law school. Holly graduated from Law at the University of Calgary in 1991 with honors and several more scholastic achievements and papers co-published with the Dean of the faculty. She was called to the Bar in Alberta in 1992 and the Yukon in 1993. Her law career began at Code Hunter in Calgary. Holly developed her specialty in Aboriginal Law and coupled with her love of the outdoors took her to Whitehorse, Yukon. She loved her work and the outdoor life she could pursue in the North.
Holly was married in 1992, and her only child Meagan was born on Feb. 2nd, 1994 in Whitehorse. Holly and Meagan moved to Edmonton in 2000, where she continued her distinguished career at the Department of Justice with the Federal Government working on many challenging and high profile cases.
Holly was happiest outdoors, whether she was hiking, kayaking, cycling, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, scuba diving, paddling or enjoying Lake Newell time. She learned and loved to knit and crochet at a young age and continued to knit through her illness. Since her diagnosis with breast cancer, Holly donated many of her projects to the Cross Cancer Institute. She always had a scarf on her needles that would soon find itself a home. Holly would pin a small note to the scarf and tie it to a tree during her walks in the river valley area to be found by a homeless person in need of warmth.
Holly successfully kicked breast cancer to the curb in 2009 and became immersed in Dragon Boating, which she loved and excelled at. She made some great friends and won a plethora of medals from Dragon Boat Festivals throughout Canada and Florida. Her greatest passion though, was the love of her life, her daughter Meagan whom she raised unselfishly with wisdom, love, and kindness.
Holly was predeceased by her father Dr. Robert Prus of Brooks in 2002. She is survived by her daughter Meagan Prus of Edmonton. Holly also leaves to mourn, her mother, Shirley Prus of Brooks, sister Heather Prus (Kevin Casper) of Bonnyville AB, brother Robert Prus of Brooks, nephews Jeff Weiss of Brooks, and Kevin Weiss of Glendon AB.
A full life lived in a short amount of time. Well done Holly.
Dearly missed but never forgotten.
PADDLES UP!!
A Celebration of Life will be held in Edmonton AB on February 19th 2017 at the Whitemud Creek Community Centre, 951 Ogilvie Boulevard from 1:30-4:30pm.
Please feel free to join us to help Holly enjoy her final trip to Kinbrook Island Provincial Park and Lake Newell on May 27, 2017. Please join us for fellowship and camaraderie at the Lake Newell Sailing Club from 2:00-4:00 pm. Dress is casual. Interment to follow at the Brooks Cemetery.
