Obits | DrumhellerMail

Condolences to the family of Joan (Friedley) (Franciotti) McCuaig

JoanMcCuaig

McCUAIG
Joan
(Friedley)
(Franciotti)

February 23, 1943 - September 16, 2019

Joan (Friedley) (Franciotti) McCuaig passed away, with family by her side September 16, 2019, due to complications from dementia. She was born in Hanna, Alberta, February 23,1943, oldest of 5 to Elmer and Pauline Friedley (predeceased). Joan is survived by her siblings: Judy Kuhnert (brother-in-law Doug predeceased), Gordon Friedley (partner Kathy), Garry Friedley (partner Barb) and Doug Friedley (sister-in-law Mert) and were raised on the farm North West of Delia. Joan then married John Franciotti and had 3 children, daughter Lorrie Ferreira (son-in-law Frank Ferreira), Kelly Franciotti (daughter-in-law Shirley Bremer), and Trina Franciotti (son-in-law Andre Bissonnette). She also has 5 wonderful grandchildren Natasha Murray (husband Ty Murray), Devon Hoecke, Ryan Ferreira, Dakota Franciotti, Nicolas Bissonnette and 2 Step-Grandchildren Ashley Garlick and Michelle Sippel. Also, Joan had loving nephews: Collin Kuhnert, Darren Kuhnert (wife Connianne), Gavin Friedley (wife Jeanna), Aaron Friedley, Clayton Friedley(predeceased), Curtis Friedley (wife Mandy), Graham Friedley (wife Eva).
Joan and John owned J&J Hardware in Delia for 12 years and Joan spent most of her spare time contributing to numerous associations in the Community of Delia including: Pianist for the Royal Purple for 35 years, bookkeeper and board member for the Delia Ag Society, Delia Curling Club, and Joan was Mayor of Delia for 8 years.
Many remember Joan most for her remarkably creative side, where she was very active with Artex & Tri-Chem, bead work, but mostly her sewing. She owned her own seamstress shop for 20 years, where she lived on a beautifully treed acreage in Caroline, AB. There was nothing Joan did not try to custom make. She upholstered a semi-truck, flags for tops of rigs, leather coats, jean jackets, several cowboy shirts, full bridal party and bride dresses, grad dresses, and even made purses. Joan also taught tons of classes in Tri-chem, sewing and Swedish weaving throughout the province.
Joan loved a good joke. She also loved to travel (Hawaii was her favorite place). Joan’s fondest of travels was with her sister Judy, for numerous years to Reno and once to Dallas for sewing conventions, Montana for a sewing retreat and they also went on a quilting cruise.
Her family mostly cherishes the times she hosted countless years of family reunions and holiday dinners which included hot games of Canasta and Rumoli, for endless hours. Also, many summers with family and friends in BC or at Pine Lake, where no one was safe from a surprise bucket of water or water hose sprayed on you while you slept.
Joan was very loved and will be truly missed.
Joan requested no funeral and will only have immediate family for a private memorial dinner.
In lieu of flowers, family has requested donations to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation 351 9th Street NW Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y1 to support mental health specifically for Dementia.
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.

Condolences to the family of Melvin Thomas Thomsen

MELVINTHOMSEN

THOMSEN
Melvin Thomas

March 10, 1931 - August 18, 2019

Melvin Thomas Thomsen passed away at the Three Hills Hospital on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at the age of 88 years. Melvin was born March 10, 1931 in Veteran, AB. Melvin is remembered by his loving children: Orville, Margaret (Roscoe), Ronald, Karan, Lester (Suzette); two sisters Ivy and Rhoda; grandchildren Jennifer (Joe), Steven (Jeanne), Kathleen (Tyler) and great granddaughter Taya.
Melvin was predeceased by his parents Carl and Kate Thomsen and Audrey Mel’s wife of 61 years, daughter
Kathleen and 5 sisters.
Mel farmed, worked in coal mining, worked on oil rigs, and drove truck. He enjoyed chuckwagons and was an outrider in the Stampede. Mel loved horseback riding, camping and enjoyed telling jokes and stories.
Mel will be sadly missed by his children, grandchildren, great granddaughter, cousins, and nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held September 28, 2019, at 2:00 pm at Linden Alliance Church, Linden, AB.
Memorial donations may be made to www.wildhorsefoundation.org

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetltd.ca

Condolences to the family of Henry Barborka

HenryBarborka

BARBORKA
Henry

January 19, 1930 - September 14, 2019

Henry Barborka passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Drumheller Health Centre on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the age of 89 years.
Henry Thomas Barborka was just nine years old when World War II broke out. Henry spent his early teens working as a chimney sweep, surviving the Nazi Occupation and then the Russian Oppression. After two failed attempts to escape Poland, he finally made it by swimming across a river on a chilly winter night at the age of 17. Henry made his way through Europe, continuing through many check points finally arriving in Belgium where he worked in the mines, in a refugee camp and even attempted to join the French Foreign Legion. Henry made his way to Toronto then to the Yukon where he worked in the silver mines. From the Yukon, Henry ended up in Drumheller where he reunited with Vera who later became the love of his life. Henry first worked for the Railroad in the Drumheller area before settling into various positions at the Drumheller Hospital until his retirement in 1990.
In his later years Henry loved to meet visitors to the valley speaking one of the languages he knew and relished playing bingo. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and a lifetime of friends.
Henry was predeceased by his wife Vera in 1983 and son George in 2018.
Henry leaves to cherish his memory, four children; Stan (Shirley), Lucy (Glen), Larry (Linda), Kathy (Fred), seven grandchildren; Jody, Bonni, Lisa, Lesli, Aimee’, Ryan, Dakota (aka; Cody), six great grandchildren; Paige, Dylan, Nathan, Sam, Carter, Rexx and his remaining brother in Poland.
Funeral Mass for Henry will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. from St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. There will be a luncheon to follow at the St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Hall immediately following the Service of Committal at the Drumheller Cemetery. The family invites all to come and listen to the Tribute, watch a slideshow and have a time of fellowship.
If friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Sunshine Lodge Recreation Department.
Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Homes are in care of the arrangements.

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