Armitage: Joan Mary Ann  July 03, 1945 - September 09, 2008

Joan Armitage passed away at the age of 63 years at Three Hills Hospital after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Joan was born in Winnipeg and was the only child of Henry and Mildred Smith (Gable). She started kindergarten and attended grades one and two at Margaret Scott School. At the age of eight her family moved to a different house about nine blocks away and she started grade three at another school just around the corner and attended until grade six where she met two of her dearest friends Marge and Phyllis and after 50 plus years they are friends to this day.  When finishing elementary school Joan went to Aberdeen Junior High and then to Sisler and St. Johns High Schools. Joan met Wayne in June 1960 and became “an item“. They were married at St. Johns United Church in Winnipeg in March of 1964. They had four children, Randy and Brenda born in Winnipeg, Patrick born in Flin Flon, Manitoba and Kelly born in Lynn Lake, Manitoba. They moved to Lynn Lake in June 1968 where Wayne worked in the mine until he got an electrical apprenticeship. They lived in Lynn Lake (sometimes called heaven) until the summer of 1974 when they moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta where they worked and raised their children. While in Fort McMurray, Joan worked at St. Paul’s Elementary School for 19 years as a librarian. They moved to Three Hills in June of 1995. All the children had left home by then so they had a big house and no kids. Upon arriving in Three Hills she took a position at Greentree Elementary School in Drumheller and drove back and forth for almost ten years. After leaving Greentree Elementary, Joan met several new friends that she wasn’t able to do while spending long days in Drumheller and then driving home. She also had some great friends in Drumheller but found it difficult living in one town and working in another. You could never spend the time doing “friend” things in either place. When Wayne and Joan moved to Three Hills, they also moved both their mothers from Winnipeg. Wayne’s mother is in Trochu and Joan’s mother is in Three Hills. Joan learned that she really enjoyed golfing and one of her favorite times was camping and golfing at Rosebud. She also did a little curling when she was able and at both the curling and golf clubs she made even more friends and acquaintances. Gardening was also one of her passions and she took pride in having her yard look nice. Over the years she volunteered as a secretary to the home and school in Fort McMurray, coached power skating, helped with the Junior Forest Wardens, and acted as secretary for the Fort McMurray Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered in Three Hills on the Library Board. She enjoyed doing crafts, woodworking, tole painting, and was extremely talented at all of them. She was a very organized and creative woman. Joan was an only child and for her the very absolute most important thing in her life was her family which included her dog “Murphy.” Joan was predeceased by her father Henry in 1958, and son-in-law, Scott in 1992. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Wayne, son Randy (Kelly) of Ottawa, daughter Brenda of Ottawa, son Patrick (Cathy) of Grande Prairie, and son Kelly (Shaunna) of Calgary, and her mother Mildred. She is also survived by 11 Grandchildren. The interment of Joan’s ashes took place at Three Hills Cemetery and her Memorial Service took place Monday, September 15, 2008 at 2 P.M. at Knox United Church in Three Hills. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. As a tribute to Joan, a tree will be planted at Three Hills Golf Course. Arrangements in care of SUNSET FUNERAL SERVICE, Linden, AB, 403-546-3903.

CUNNINGHAM: Patricia Lynn  1958 - 2008

It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts we announce the recent passing of our daughter Patty on August 31, 2008 in Duncan, B.C. a place she called home for many years. Her funeral was held in Duncan on September 3. If friends so desire a memorial tribute will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 2 p.m. in the Rosedale Hall to celebrate her life.

Don, Flora and family.   

KIPLING: Clarence Emmit

Passed away quietly, at peace, on September 16, 2008, twenty days shy of his 94th birthday at the Health Centre in Drumheller, Alberta. Beloved husband of Ethel Irene (2004) since their marriage on January 6, 1937. Clarence leaves three sons, one daughter and ten grandchildren to mourn his passing; son Gerald (the late Thelma) of Hudson Bay, and grandchildren, Denis (Donelda) and Bonnie (Norman Belchamber); son Lloyd (Karen) of Drumheller and grandson Jasen (Kera); son Dwaine (Betty) of Drumheller and grandsons Terry (Heather) and Bille (Jenn) daughter Lynn (Scott Morphy) of Saskatoon and grandchildren Darcy (Kimberly), Sarah, Candace (Eric Horner), Daniel and Allison. Clarence was blessed with nine great-grandchildren, Mark, Landon, Rebecca, Xander, Raiden, Connor, Hayley, Tyson and Chloe. Clarence arrived in this world on October 6, 1914, on the Melfort-area family farm in Saskatchewan. He was born to Frank and Geneva, with four brothers (Archie, Lloyd, Elmer and Jim) and one sister (Marie), all of whom predeceased him. Growing up on the family farm in Melfort, farming became a treasured way of life for him, continuing on into his adult years at Weekes until his retirement. Clarence was much more than a farmer and had stints as a trucker, owner of a pool hall and a restaurant. His love for the outdoors ran deep, enjoying hunting, trapping, fishing and, in later life, riding his quad in the woods. He was a handyman, loving to repair things and never letting anything go to waste. His carbon footprint was very small indeed. Clarence will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was an interesting storyteller with a memory full of humorous tales that he loved to share with all. He was an avid pool player, as well as card player, and spent his time with Ethel enjoying the companionship of the Pioneer Centre since their move to Drumheller in 1996. His final years were clouded by the loss of Ethel, but he is at rest now that he has joined her. So long Dad, and until we meet again. Special thanks to Dr. Graham and the excellent staff at the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre for their kind attention. (A memorial service and interment of ashes will be held for both Clarence and Ethel at 1 p.m. on September 27, 2008, at the Cemetery in Melfort, Saskatchewan, followed by a get together at the Royal Canadian Legion.)    

TREACY: Willard Clark  August 7, 1942 - September 16, 2008

Bill Treacy, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the Drumheller hospital on September 16, 2008. He is survived by Elsie Treacy, his wife of 46 years, daughter Shelley (Jim) Keough, sons Calvin (Oksana) Treacy and Mitchell (Rhonda) Treacy, and seven grandchildren: Emily and Madeline Keough; Samantha, Alex and Melissa Treacy; Cade and Abbey Treacy; Tim Mandel, who was like a son to him; sisters Darlene (Leroy) Fandry, Gwen (Ralph) Hodgins, Connie Leroy, Val (Elmer) Keats and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Jim and Margaret Treacy. From early childhood, Bill was wholeheartedly committed to farming. He married his high school sweetheart, Elsie, and together they dedicated their lives to raising their crops and their family on Indian Springs Farms in the Wintering Hills area. Bill’s successful farm and family were his pride and joy. Bill was humorous, sociable and outspoken. He accumulated many friends and enjoyed the fellowship of the Big Country Shrine Club. After many years of hard work on the farm, Bill and Elsie had recently spent winters in their motor home in Arizona, golfing and entertaining many old and new friends. Bill was a passionate man, who took to golf late in life with the same determination that he applied to farming and everything that he did, including his battles with cancer. During his illness, he especially cherished the simple pleasure of his grandchildrens’ company. Bill’s family would like to thank Dr. Racz and the many compassionate and supportive volunteers, nurses and doctors who cared for him. A “Celebration of Bill’s Life” was held at the Hussar Community Hall on September 22, 2008 at 2 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Hussar Cemetery Fund (Box 100, Hussar, AB T0J 1S0) or the Drumheller Community Cancer Centre (351 9^th St. N.W., Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y1). Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel of Drumheller entrusted with arrangements.