Chambers, Gertrude Olivia
October 19, 1917 - July 12, 2012
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Gertrude (Gertie) Olivia Chambers on July 12, 2012 at the Hanna Long Term Care, Hanna, Ab at the age of 94 years. Gertie was a longtime resident of the Verdant Valley/Delia area. Gertie was born on October 19, 1917 to parents Walter and Thirza Steward of Verdant Valley on the family farm. Gertie was the youngest of 6 children. At the age of 18 months, Gertie’s mother fell victim to the “Spanish Influenza flu epidemic” and passed away in 1918. After this terrible tragedy, Gertie’s Aunt Ethel came from England to care for Gertie and her siblings. With the passing of Gertie’s mom, Gertie and her dad formed a special bond that truly lasted throughout their lifetime. Gertie took all her schooling at the Verdant Valley School. She rode by horseback to and from school. The family recalls one of Gertie’s stories, in the dirty thirties, it got so dusty, that Gertie and her siblings used to close their eyes and pray that the horses could find their own way home. On March 18, 1945, Gertie married her childhood friend and neighbor, Harold Chambers. The couple purchased their own farm in the same district that they had both been raised in. The couple had four children, Marilyn, Carolyn, Melvin, Diane. Gertie took pride in all facets of the family farm, their Angus cattle, the love of her domestic animals, her special dog Brandy and her cats. Gertie always had a barn full of chickens, raising them to sell as fryers and to sell the eggs to neighbors and customers in Drumheller and Rosedale. Milking of their Jersey cows not only provided the family with milk to drink, but Gertie also made butter and sold the cream. Harold and Gertie owned and operated Burn Brite Coal Co. Ltd. where Gertie was head cook for the workers, and also boarded oil rig workers. These were some of the things that Gertie did to help supplement the family’s income. Gertie’s passion was her flowers, her garden and her yard, only to be out done by the love she had for her children. As the children grew, moved out, married and had children of their own, Gertie continued to enjoy farm life. She and Harold travelled extensively and took many holidays together. It was only when health issues arose, the couple was forced to leave the farm. Gertie leaves behind wonderful memories for her children, grandchildren and a lifetime of friends. One special memory from the grandchildren and great grandchildren is the “over flowing” cookie jar at Gramma’s house. Gertie loved her grandchildren, and took just as much pride in them as she did in her own children. Gertie was predeceased by her husband Harold on October 7, 2005 and son-in-law, Don Mammel in November 2009. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, daughter Marilyn (Louis) Wattenbarger, daughter Carolyn (the late Don Mammel), son Melvin (Sandra) Chambers, daughter Diane (Ron) Thomas, 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. A celebration of Gertie’s life will be held on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the Delia Community Hall, Delia Ab. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Delia Communities in Bloom. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Homes are in care of the arrangements.
