September 8, 2023
By Obituaries on September 8, 2023.
ALLAN MCLEOD
ALLAN MCLEOD December 26, 1936 ~ September 1, 2023
The footprint may be gone . . . But excluding a recent half-decade of invasive health issues, my life has been a long and remarkable journey of personal fulfillment, including a family code of love and togetherness. Who could ask for more.
Most important, by far, has been the support and devotion of Rae, my wife of sixty-three years. It has been Rae’s dedication to our marriage that has permitted the accomplishments we have enjoyed. Our biggest gift of all has been our three children, Tracy (Jerry Hensel – deceased), Carrie Rae (Owen Saunders) and John (Shelley), all solidly grounded and successful in their chosen endeavors. They have also given us five (now adult) grandchildren and one great-grandchild to gaze upon with pride.
I see my life in three distinct phases, beginning in 1936 on the cusp of World War II as the first born to Germaine (Sebille) and Cecil McLeod, a couple struggling with drought and depression on a farm near Bow Island. The next fifteen years witnessed a return of rain and crops and victory in the war, all of which I was then old enough to appreciate. I had also seen Dad’s aggressive expansion of our land base which created the financial wherewithal to move and operate from a home in Medicine Hat.
It was in the city in June, 1955 at age 18 that I wrote the last of my grade 12 finals, followed five days later by swearing an oath to begin life in Canada’s national police force. My RCMP years included a diverse array of Canada-wide assignments that drove my career onward and upward. It was 20 years that extended from BC’s Lower Mainland to a one-man posting in Canada’s Arctic to the lofty setting of HQ Ottawa as a departmental head caught in the bureaucratic shuffle of bilingual overreach.
Phase two began with my early retirement in 1975 to embark on a new and uncharted path, a final transfer of our family to put down roots in the land of my youth near Bow Island. The underlying motive was to establish ourselves in private business. Some saw the decision as questionable given our beautiful Ottawa home and opportunities presented by my early commission, but our Alberta heritage won the day. We were destined to begin life anew on the barren and treeless landscape of my family’s long-abandoned farm where the only signs of current habitation were a rope-and-pulley water well, a rustic machine shop, and a fading two-holer standing alone in a yard of derelict outbuildings. Even the rural electrical grid would need a mile of poles and wire to reach the farm.
Despite the obstacles, within 20+ years we had carved out a park-like home setting with trees and modern facilities, at the same time embarking on a business program anchored by the farm that grew into the ownership of a Ford-Lincoln car/truck dealership in Medicine Hat. Steps in getting there had included a three-year co-ownership of an insurance agency, the start-up and eventual closure of a local Ford outlet, and fourteen years as owner/operator of a small real estate office.
With our son ready to buy out the city Ford store, we stepped back from active business in 1995 to begin phase three, this time in semi-retirement hoping for a financial return in my long-held passion for writing. Between summers at Elkwater Lake and winters touring Roatan Island or US Border States, I wrote two books over the next few years. The first was titled “Willful Blindness,” a 1960s true crime kidnap/murder story from the Yukon, the second, “It’s All About Money,” a novel of narcissistic illusion and violence. Regrettably, neither reached the lofty bar of success set by publishers.
But I wasn’t yet ready to quit. I had also created a rambling memoir of 900 pages that became a ten-part outline of our family’s history up to 1995, including personal issues we had faced and some of the more memorable cases from my RCMP years. I titled the consolidated manuscript “A Look Back.”
There will be no funeral upon my passing, just a bundle of ashes and a couple of drawers of unpublished writings to mark the end of phase three of a long and grateful life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Safety City, Box 1145, Medicine Hat, AB., T1B 1A1, or the Salvation Army, 164 Stratton Way S.E., Medicine Hat, AB., T1B 3R3, as these were Allan’s charities of choice. Condolences may be expressed at http://www.cooksouthland.com Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
http://www.cooksouthland.com
“Locally owned & directed”
ANNA ROTH
ANNA ROTH July 30, 1933 ~ August 31, 2023 Mrs. Anna Minna Roth, beloved wife of the late James ‘Jim’ Roth, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Bow Island Health Centre on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the age of 90 years. Left to cherish Anna’s memory are her three children and their families: daughter, Shelley Cooper and her sons, Nick (Meg Ferguson) Cooper and Carson (Gabby) Cooper; son, Darren (Shelley) Roth and their three children, Brendan (Jessi) Roth (their children Jameson and Sadie), Amanda (Frank) Thompson (their son, Calum) and Kaylene (James) Thiessen (their son, Declan); daughter, Jane (Randy) Kobbert and their two children, Kristin (Brayden Van Driesten) Kobbert and Andrea (Jeff Oudman) Kobbert. Anna is also survived by numerous extended family. She was predeceased by her parents, Eric and Lydia Brown; siblings, Ervin Brown, Elsie Hickey and Ruth McMurdo. Anna was raised and started her schooling in Magrath. She was in her teens when her family moved to Ensign, AB., and she finished her schooling in Brant, AB. Following High School, she continued her education in Edmonton, AB., where she received her teaching certification. Anna’s first teaching position was in Wrentham, AB., where she met her future husband, James Roth. Soon after they were married, Anna and Jim moved to Bow Island where she continued to teach for a short time until starting their family. Having a farm and raising a family kept Anna busy… a good busy that she enjoyed very much! She loved helping with the harvest and continued to do so well into the 1990’s! Anna always put her family first, especially when it came to her grandchildren. She loved her time with them and played an integral role in instilling some of the strong family values that they all share to this day. Anna’s love for puzzling kept her sharp. She also enjoyed spending time in her garden, canning, baking and especially cooking a wonderful meal to bring her family together. The memories of those special gatherings will forever resonate within the hearts of her children and grandchildren. A Private time of remembrance honouring Anna’s life was held at the Bow Island Cemetery on Monday, September 4, 2023. Those wishing to remember Anna may do so through a donation to the Bow Island and District Health Foundation, Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0. Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
http://www.cooksouthland.com
“Locally owned & directed”
RAYMOND WILLIAMS
RAYMOND WILLIAMS 1943 ~ 2023 Raymond Arthur Williams passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at the age of 79 years, beloved husband of Carol Williams of Redcliff. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. To leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
DORIS BLAQUIERE-DERZAPH
DORIS BLAQUIERE-DERZAPH 1927 – 2023 Anise “Doris” Blaquiere-Derzaph of Redcliff, beloved wife of the late Edward Blaquiere and the late Adam Derzaph, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023 at the age of 96, with her daughter, June, by her side. Doris was born on June 20, 1927, in St. Paul, Kent County, New Brunswick. She was the ninth child of Bibienne (Cormier) Belliveau and Henri Belliveau. Doris leaves to mourn her passing: daughter June (Bill Matuska), daughter-in-law Bev Blaquiere, daughter Elizabeth “Betty” Jones (Trevor), stepson Edwin Derzaph (Lorna), stepdaughter Sharon Black, grandchildren: Kirk Blaquiere (Dione), Shane Blaquiere, Ronaye Beck (Jason) and Karlee Everist (Bryce), many great grandchildren, step grandchildren, step great grandchildren and nieces and nephews; sister Minnie Surrette of Ambersburg, Ontario and brother Al Belliveau of Greenwood, Nova Scotia. Doris was predeceased by her husband, Edward Blaquiere (May 10, 1993), step grandson Bruce Perini (November 26, 2010), husband Adam Derzaph (February 8, 2015) and son Edgar (Ed) Blaquiere (September 24, 2020). Full obituary can be found on Pattison Funeral Home website. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend officiating. If you are unable to attend in person you can participate via livestream – please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the CWL in Medicine Hat, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. To leave a message of condolence you may visit ftlinewww.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
MIKE MARSHALL
MIKE MARSHALL 1960 – 2023 Michael “Mike” Peter Marshall, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the age of 63 years, beloved partner of Pam Cursons of Redcliff. He also leaves to cherish his memory one stepson Cash Hagen (Alicia); one brother Mark Marshall (Sonya Chapman) of Calgary; sister-in-law Bernice Marshall as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and his many many friends. He was predeceased by his parents Katie and Mike and by two brothers Melvin and Jeff. Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Mike’s life will take place at River Valley Park in Redcliff on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. with Life Celebrant Pat Grisonich officiating. Those who are attending the service are encouraged to bring a lawn chair just in case. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Medicine Hat SPCA in memory of “Pete” his bestest buddy and greatest love – c/o S.P.C.A. – 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8E8. To leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
KATHERINE PEDERSON-TARNOCZI (NE
KATHERINE PEDERSON-TARNOCZI (NEE DIRK) January 16, 1925 ~ September 6, 2023
Katherine Pederson-Tarnoczi (nee Dirk) peacefully entered into eternal rest at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the age of 98 years. Kay was a devoted wife of Norman Pederson (1969) and then Frank Tarnoczi (2022). Kay was endlessly proud of her six children: Dwain (Terry), Russell (Penny), Melvin (Pat), Norma, Anita (Dennis) and Mark (Sunde). As a grandmother, she was honoured to have 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Family birthdays and gatherings were the world to her. All were blessed with knit sweaters and crocheted blankets. Kay was the second child born to Irma (nee Volk) and John Dirk. She was predeceased by her siblings, Mary (Frank) Rissling, Anne (Jack) Marshall, Rose, (Arnie) Hall, Terry (Mike) Wickenheiser, Al (Jean) Dirk, Lorraine (Cob) Bliss and Jerome (Diane) Dirk. Katherine will be fondly remembered as a woman of stong faith that guided her through life. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so starting one hour prior to Vigil Prayers which will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road S.E., Medicine Hat on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Vincent Tuan Ha celebrant. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com) Memorial tributes in Kay’s name may be made directly to AJ’s Loan Cupboard, PO Box 45006, Mackenzie Drugs Postal Outlet, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 0B1 or to St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice, 156 – 3 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, AB., T1A 5M1. Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
http://www.cooksouthland.com
“Locally owned & directed”
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