PARROTTO
Erna
October 25, 1921 - May 9, 2021
It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of our dear Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and friend to all, Erna Parrotto. Mom passed peacefully in the Drumheller Continuing Care on Mother’s Day, May 9th, 2021 at the age of 99 years, after a brief illness.
Mom was born Oct. 25, 1921 in Voitsberg, Austria and came to Canada when she was 5 years old. The family settled in Wayne, AB where Mom spent many years, she moved around the valley till finally settling in Star Mine.
Mom started working for Nelson’s Store in Rosedale then moved over to Bobby McPhee’s store and stayed through the years as each new owner took over till she retired in 1998 after 38 years, she was the heart and soul of the store.
After Mom moved to Drumheller in 2002, she was out and about making new friends and handing out her Dinosaur cards to any tourists she met and also many locals, some called her the Ambassador of Drumheller.
She always enjoyed going back to Rosedale to help Pat with the mail, have coffee at the store and BS with the guys, she fit right in….
When she could no longer drive she found a ride one way or another.
Mom enjoyed people, helping anyone she could, young or old, she had a heart of gold and I know a lot of people would have been on the receiving end of Mom’s generosity.
She had a passion for horses from a very young age in Wayne and later Elvis became her idol, she loved rock and roll as many knew and saw her shake her booty many times. Bingo was a weekly outing.
A big highlight of her later years was the opportunity to go to Las Vegas thanks to the generosity of Jan and Barry and all her friends. She was very reluctant to go but after a lot of persuasion, went and really enjoyed herself. She was also brave enough to take a ride in Tom Dooley’s plane and enjoy a few motorcycle rides, she loved those big bikes.
As time went on, Mom moved from Manor 2 to The Sunshine Lodge with a short stay at Hillview then finally to Continuing Care for 5 1/2 years, where she still laughed, had spunk and enjoyed the people.
Mom was predeceased by her brother Carl, her husband Dominic and her great granddaughter Danielle.
She is survived by her children, Roy, Robert, Tommy (Elaine), Shirley, Linda and Lorna (Lester). Grandchildren, Tammi, Darcy, David, Chris, Colleen, Marvin, Lori, Erin, Tracy, Tammy, Aaron, Julie and Jason. Great Grandchildren Saskia, Colten, Liam, Brayden, Logan, Brooklyn, Ciara, Jacob, Boden, Kylee, Sofia and Signe, also survived by Jack Gillespie and family of Los Angeles and Bill Herman of Drumheller.
Due to Covid, there will only be a small family service for now. Service of Remembrance will be livestreamed on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. via Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Home web page under Erna’s Obituary, click on stream option on the bottom right under the obituary just prior to service time. Flowers are graciously declined, if friends so desire memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S., 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Box 570, Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7
Mom was a free spirit, a rebel and will be deeply missed by all…
Arrangements in care of Courtney-Winters Funeral Home, Drumheller. 403-823-2666.