Stacey – On January 10, 2022, following a brief illness, Clara “Edna” Stacey passed away peacefully in the Brooks Health Centre at the age of 102. Edna was born on the farm in Swanson, Saskatchewan September 24, 1919 to Alexander and Elsie Thomson. Her brother, Roy, joined the family 4 years later. Edna was a bright girl finishing school at age 16. A year later, she was old enough to start her registered nursing training in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Graduating at age 20, she worked 3 months in the Rosetown operating room before returning to Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert as the operating room supervisor. Three years later, Edna joined the army as a nursing sister which automatically gave her the rank of Lieutenant. She was posted to Montreal Neurological Institute which afforded her the opportunity to assist the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield as his scrub nurse. Her next posting, at the end of the war, was in Edmonton, where she met Major Lawrence Stacey, who had recently returned from overseas. They were married in December of 1946. Following Larry’s graduation from Engineering at the University of British Columbia, they moved to London, Ontario where Edna worked at Victoria Hospital in the operating room. Edna quit work with the birth of her children to become a stay at home mom. Never being one to sit still, she kept busy constantly running her children to music, ballet and swimming lessons as well as hockey and baseball practices and games. In 1966, Edna took her refresher course and entered the work force as a part time nurse working at Westminster Hospital and local nursing homes. She enjoyed curling, golf and lawn bowling in her spare time. Edna loved watching most sports on television with a particular interest in Major League Baseball and the NHL. In 1985, Edna retired as a nurse and began traveling the world. She enjoyed trips with Larry to Alaska, Holland and wintering in Florida until his passing in 1991. Edna then embarked on group trips with her girlfriends to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, England, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. She volunteered at the gift shop at Parkwood Hospital, was treasurer for the local chapter of the ALS society, transported Meals on Wheels, was on the ACW at the Church of St. Jude and of course, closest to her heart was volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club where she helped with the Supper Club and Koats for Kids programs. After Larry passed, Edna could been seen at the wheel driving car loads of friends on various outings. Her biggest blow was losing her license at age 90. In 2013, she came to Alberta to attend the funeral of her brother, Roy, and moved into Orchard Manor Assisted Living in Brooks when an opening became available. In 2017, when another move was necessary, she decided to move to the farm since she had always insisted she would never go to a nursing home. With the help of care-givers, 24 hours a day, she enjoyed undivided attention and amazing care. Edna was predeceased by her parents, Elsie and Alec, her husband, Lawrence, and her brother, Roy. She will be remembered by her son Rodger (Patti) of Orillia and grandchildren Kyle (Joanne), Abbi (Matt) and Craig (Samantha) and great grandchildren Nyah, Avery, Mae, Chase, Archer, Brody, Hayden, Myles and Isla, her daughter Joan (Dick) Dick of Brooks and her son Glenn (Nancy) of London and grandchildren Ryan and Aaron as well as her nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service was held at Smith Funeral Chapel at 7:00 pm. on January 12, 2022. A grave side service will be held at a later date in London, Ontario. At Edna’s request, donations in her memory can be made directly to the Boys and Girls Club of London, 184 Horton St. E., London, Ontario N6B 1K8.
Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by
Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866)-362-4652
“Our Families Serving Your Family Since 1951”
