Vera Owsley

Go Rest High on that Mountain, Your Work on Earth is Done.

Vera passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, January 10th in the arms of her loving children.

Vera is survived by her children Patricia (El) Manderville; Cheryl (Steve) Maunsell-Wybrants; and Ken (Lea-Ann) Owsley.  Her grandchildren Mark (Jessica) Maunsell, Alix Maunsell (Coady Doell), Drew Owsley (Jamie Myers), Mitch Owsley, and Eryn Owsley. Great grandchildren Jorgey, Evy, Sawyer, Bryer, and Frank Maunsell.  There are several more members of Vera’s extended family that were very dear to her, Daryl (Angela) Manderville and family and Janice (Todd) Christianson and family. Vera also maintained precious relationships with her numerous nieces and nephews, proud of her Warnock heritage.  

Vera has gone to a place to reunite with her husband Kenneth (Mick), daughter Debbie, father William, mother Helen, brothers Loren, Layton, and Jim.

Vera arrived in this world as a 2 ½ pound premature baby and was placed in a shoe box with cotton batten and hung from the wood burning stove handle to keep warm. She departed the same way she arrived, despite failing physical and mental health, she fought to the very end and reminded us daily of the person she really was.

Growing up on the family farm, Vera learned the value of hard work and grew a fondness of horses. She left for school but returned when her contribution was needed back at the farm.  Her professional career began at Commercial Printers where she learned many of the accounting skills that she passed on to her family. But it was Vera’s various roles at Sears where most people will remember Vera’s smiling face and undying customer service skills. We have no doubt that Sears would still be operating if they had more dedicated employees like Vera.

Vera was also very artistic and had a love for recreation. She taught herself piano and always had an organ in her living room so she could play songs she learned by ear.  She took great pride that all of her daughters and granddaughters took lessons on piano. She was a very dedicated baseball and hockey mother and grandmother, and always valued her time on Alberta Ranch. She always had the biggest smile on her face at the ballpark, the rink, the recitals, and in the fresh air of the foothills. She even took up oil painting at 70 years of age, completing 27 pieces that we all will cherish and value in our homes. 

Vera’s story cannot be told without sharing her greatest skill which was that of a loving wife and mother. Mick and Vera married in 1952 and together they shared a life journey until Mick passed away in 2005. They lived together through some challenging times but always provided for their extended families. This was true until their last days, family was always a priority and a core value passed on to future generations. Vera lived for almost 15 years after Mick passed away and her care for her husband in his time of need will never be forgotten.  Til Death Do Us Part is a vow that Vera took quite literally and it just reaffirmed her dedication to a life of service. 

A mother is defined as a “woman who loves you unconditionally from birth, who puts her children before herself, the one you can count on above everyone else”. This definition epitomizes who Vera was and her children will live this spirit forward. This compassionate and caring side of Vera has been passed on to current (and future) mothers and nurses in the family.  Vera did realize every mother’s worst nightmare when she lost a child in the spring of 1993. We are comforted knowing that mother and child are catching up.

A special thanks goes out to the numerous care workers that were there for Vera in her greatest time of need. The support received from the Edith Cavell Care Center was very much appreciated. A special thank you needs to be shared with Pat as Mom’s care was your priority when Mom needed it most. You can be thankful that you have inherited many of Mom’s caring qualities. Granddaughters Alix and Eryn, thanks for offering support at a time that was very difficult for grandma, she knew you were there for her.

A private family service will be held, with burial in the Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society, 1202 2 Ave S #40, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0E3.

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