It is with great sorrow that her family announces the passing of IVY IRENE NUMMI (nee Saari), beloved and devoted wife of the late Henry Nummi at Extendicare in Lethbridge on Friday, October 30, 2009 at the age of 88 years.

Ivy will always be lovingly remembered by her 5 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren & spouses and 3 great grandchildren: Dr. Maryanne (Eric) Sandberg (Fort Macleod): Tammy (Tyler) Broderson - great grandson Teran & great granddaughter, Taylor, Dale Sandberg; Ivy (Bill) Witoshynski (St. Albert): Tim (Amy) Witoshynski - great grandson Kole, Amanda Witoshynski; Hal (Diane) Nummi (Crowsnest Pass): Michele (Paul) Shields (Edmonton), Kimberli Nummi (Calgary), Kristin Nummi (Brady) (Edmonton); Marlene (Leroy) Wamsteeker (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Michael (Diana) Wamsteeker (Calgary), Jaclyn Wamsteeker (Carlo) (Calgary); Boyd (Crystal) Nummi (Picture Butte): Gavin Nummi (Edmonton), Lynden & Ryan Nummi.

Also surviving Ivy are her younger siblings, Edna Alexandropoulos (Lethbridge), Jack (Selma) Saari (Eckville), Miriam Schlacter (Red Deer), Sylvia Strem (Red Deer) & Violet (John) Liivam (Abbotsford, B.C.) and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her loving husband, Ivy was predeceased by older sisters - Juanita (Alec) Linden and Susan ""Elvie"" Henderson; younger brother - Eugene Saari and by brother-in-laws - Miltiades Alexandropoulos, Eino Porttin, and Bill Nummi and sister-in-law Kay Nummi.

Born to Joe and Elviira ""Mary"" Saari in Hespero, AB August 4, 1921 the 3rd of 9 children, Ivy was raised on the family farm where her brother Jack still lives. Secretarial training in Red Deer led to a job in Ottawa during the war. Upon returning to Alberta after the war, Ivy met Henry as part of his cousin's and her sister's wedding party. After courtship, they were married in Red Deer on June 12, 1948. She & Henry lived in Shaughnessy for 3 years where they farmed and Henry also worked night shift in the coal mine (Mom was busy looking after 2 little girls - 13 months apart in age) before moving back to Henry's parents' farm west of Picture Butte where they had 3 more children and continued to farm until 1976 when semi-retirement saw them move into Picture Butte. In 1999, they moved to Grand View Condos in Lethbridge. With Henry's passing on October 27, 2002, Ivy lost her soul mate and life was not the same. She sold the Condo, moved to Columbia Assisted Living for a brief time and then finally found peace and genuine caring support at Extendicare North.

Ivy was a hard worker - One can only wonder today how she happily did it all with no electricity or running water (for many years) - helping with her in-laws, raising and supporting kids in all their activities, raising chickens, milking cows, always having a big garden, helping Henry farm and always supporting him when he was a municipal & county councillor. She sewed many clothes and always had pyjamas for her kids at Christmas. Grandkids lucky enough to have one of her quilts treasure them - Dad's pool table was often used for her projects. Many a flour sack was disguised with beautiful embroidery. All of us remember her cooking and wonderful meals. It didn't matter when company came, there was always good food and coffee and lots of conversation.

Ivy was a compassionate, thoughtful, honourable lady who loved her family. She, along with Henry, loved to visit and care for their children and grandchildren. Everyone has memories and stories to tell of times spent with them taking trips, camping, fishing, playing cards, and pool, baking with Grandma and sharing in the social occasion of Saturday night saunas.

Ivy was a caring, gentle, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Her wisdom and casual wit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

No more pain and reunited with your soul mate - rest in peace - you have earned it.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Ivy's memory.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, with Reverend Glenda Wert, officiating.

Interment at Albion Ridge Cemetery.