With hope for the future and peace in our hearts, we announce the passing of our mother Alberta. Mom’s greatest passions were her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind John and Christy (Paula, Scott and Stephanie), Glenna and Larry (Jana and Laura), Janet and John (Tristan and David), Carol and Nairn (Dale and Mark). She also leaves behind her life long friend Sheila Matthews of Calgary. Mom was predeceased by her loving husband and friend Bill, her parents Jack and Tilly Garrett, her sister Edith Achatz and her brother Walter Smith. Mom was born in Bassano and grew up in the Duchess area, attended West Duchess School and completed high school in Brooks. She went on to study nursing at the Holy Cross Hospital and graduated in the Class of 1951. She moved to Bassano and started her nursing career at the Bassano General Hospital. It was during this time that she met her loving partner and future husband Bill. They were married in 1953 in Brooks and made the family home in Bassano. Mom was always available to us whether it was contributing to a bake sale or cheering for us in our activities. She was an active participant in the community, volunteering for many organizations including the Willing Workers, Brownies and the Arena Auxiliary. Alberta had many passions including the activities of small town life, children, reading, the CBC, education, cooking, fine dining, music, gardening, attending church, needlework, travel and many of the finer things in life. She will live on through her family and the lives that she has touched. A celebration of her life will take place at the Knox Presbyterian Church in Bassano, on Thursday January 13 at 11AM. Donations in her honor can be made to The Arthritis Society. #200, 1301 8th St. SW T2R 1B7 or Knox Presbyterian Church in Bassano.
