Stiles – Effie Agnes (Cowan) Stiles of Bassano, beloved wife of the late Bob Stiles, passed away in Bassano, on Friday, September 27, 2013 at the age of 86 years. Effie was born on March 2, 1927 in Medicine Hat, Alberta to Francis Wellington Cowan and his wife Anna Augusta Maria (Schmidt) Cowan. She moved with her family to homestead in the Peace River Country at Driftpile, Alberta in May of 1933. The family then moved to Bassano in September 1941 when Effie was 14 years old. When Effie finished school, she began working for AGT as a telephone operator. Effie married Robert (Bob) Stiles on September 9, 1947 at the Central United Church, Calgary they then moved to Edmonton and in 1949, Bob and Effie returned to Bassano. Bob took over the management of Friendly Stores and they moved to a suite above the store. Effie started working part time in the store in 1959. In 1970, Bob and Effie bought Bud’s Coffee Shop with Bob managing the restaurant and Effie managing the grocery store. In 1981, Effie retired and in 1985 they sold the Friendly Stores. Effie was a 63 year member of the Willing Workers, a member of Bassano Kinette Club, the Royal Purple, she also belong to the Daughters of The Nile. She spent many hours volunteering at the hospital and lodge playing bingo with the residents and driving seniors. Effie was predeceased by her husband Bob, her parents, and all her brothers and sisters. Effie is survived by two daughters, Brenda (Bud) Maynard of High River and Barbara (Ralph) Hein of Bassano; six grandchildren: Melissa (Darryn MacDonald) Maynard, TJ (Cidnee) Maynard, Cathy Hein, Christy Hein, Tom Hein and Tracey (Jay) LaBrie; five great-grandchildren: Connor MacDonald, Molly and Rowdy Maynard, Gabriel and Greyson LaBrie; and sisters-in-law: Florence Cowan; Winnie Stiles and Em Stiles. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 4 at 2:00 PM from the Knox Presbyterian Church, Bassano. Rev. Peter Baek officiating. Interment to be held at Bassano Cemetery. In memory of Effie, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either, Knox Presbyterian Church, Box 66, Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0, or Bassano Cemetery Fund, Box 299, Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0 or Bassano and District Health Foundation, Box 120 Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0. Funeral arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, BROOKS, ALBERTA. Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.
