November 3, 2015
By Obituaries on November 3, 2015.
ADELE ARMSTRONG Adele (Havard) Armstrong, well known musician, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27th, 2015. Lifetime resident of Medicine Hat, Adele was the daughter of English and Welsh parents, Reginald and Elizabeth (Owen) Havard. Adele was predeceased by Jack, her loving husband of 54 years; devoted brother and concert baritone, Lorne; and the joy of her life, twin daughters, Merelie and Melodie. A career that began in a musical home was nurtured through years of study in piano, voice, and organ providing the foundation for a lifetime of musical accomplishments. Teacher, lecturer, composer, singer, concert accompanist, organist, actress, director – Adele was the ultimate entertainer. Academically, Adele earned degrees from the Royal Conservatory and Wellesley College (Boston, MA). The years of study and performing in the Musical Theatre and Opera divisions at the Banff Centre led to her joining the staff of the summer program as vocal coach and accompanist.In her home studio over a teaching span of more than 50 years, thousands of students were prepared for piano and vocal exams, festival competitions, and performances. Her career as church organist and director began in her late teens when she provided musical leadership at Westminster United Church and then later as organist at Fifth Avenue United Church devoting decades of service to the church.
Together with her immensely talented brother, Lorne, she toured and recorded. An acting career included several roles on the local and provincial stage. When musical theatre was reinstated in Medicine Hat, two of her favorite memories were “Oklahoma” where Adele sang the female lead and “Fiddler on the Roof” with her brother, Lorne playing the lead Tevya.
Her community choirs – children, youth, adults – staged musical performances in the Spring and Christmas seasons. Founder and director of five city choirs, The Teen Tones, The Saamis Singers, The Kodaly Children’s Choir, the Adele Armstrong Singers Mixed Chorus, and The Armstrong Ladies Choir, all her choirs competed, toured, and recorded for over four decades winning local, provincial, national, and international awards. Most memorable to Adele was the invitational concert tour of Poland and competitive concert tour of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Adele was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi and many musical associations including Registered Music Teachers, Alberta Choral Federation, Canadian Festival Federations of Adjudicators, and on the Board of Governors Banff Centre. Her devotion to musical leadership earned her multiple awards including Medicine Hat Outstanding Citizen and Citizen of the Year, The Sir Frederick Haultain Provincial Award for Arts and Sciences, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.
Adele will be missed by many but none more than her loving family: grandchildren, Maddeson Coutts and Jacqueline Tong; son-in-law, Steve Tong; sister-in-law, Hazel Moser; niece, Doreen (Mike) Moug and children Diane, Karen, and John; and nephew, Robert (Judy) Moser. Her absence will be felt everyday by her chosen daughter and loving friend, Kim Shorthouse and a wide circle of her “friends of music”.
The Funeral Service will be held at FIFTH AVENUE MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH, 476 – 4th Street SE, on Thursday, November 5th, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Blaine Schaufele officiating. A Private Interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Adele's memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice or to the Adele Armstrong Fund at Community Foundation to support choral music in our community. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Adele Armstrong. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599
SHIRLEY CORBETT 1925 ~ 2015
Mrs. Shirley Munro Corbett (nee Blackburn) passed away at the Masterpiece River Ridge in Medicine Hat on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at the age of 90 years. Further announcements will follow upon completion of the arrangements. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455
TINSLEY, ELIZABETH JEAN "BUBBS" (nee PINGLE)
Born in 1922, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, passed away on October 31, 2015 from alzheimers at the age of 93. She is survived by her sons Bruce, David (Manon), Ron (Donna), grandchildren Betts Tomlinson, Philip Tinsley, great grandchildren Abbey & Brooke Tomlinson and James, Stewart, & Vivian Tinsley and nieces Barbara Bolton, Jan Tinsley & Sueanne Tinsley. Predeceased by her husband C.B. Tinsley, grandson Lucas Tinsley, parents George & Violet Pingle and sister Mary Bolton (Hugh). Following cremation, the family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, November 5th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N., Orillia. If desired, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society would be gratefully appreciated. Messages of condolence are welcomed at http://www.mundellfuneralhome.com
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