Josephine Sophia Attard

October 2, 1928 – May 17, 2017

Josephine (Jessie) Sophia Attard (nee Schembri) was born on October 2, 1928 in Cospicua (Bormla), Malta. She attended primary school at Kullegg Santa Margarita in Cospicua, and was awarded a scholarship for her first years of high school study in Valletta. During World War II, Jessie’s family moved to Birkirkara. It was there that she met her future husband, Frank Attard, and where the two grew up in houses that were only steps apart.

In 1952, Jessie and Frank were married. They immigrated to Canada in the same year. Settling in Ontario, they began their family, raising five children and later welcoming numerous grandchildren. After 52 years in Ontario and with their children all grown, the couple moved from Brampton to Calgary, becoming part of both St. Albert the Great Parish and the McKenzie Lake community, where they were welcomed and treasured.

Jessie loved her family deeply and cared for them incredibly well. From being an expert seamstress for her children, to preparing hearty meals from scratch every day, and keeping an immaculate home, Jessie took pride in doing everything that she did to the highest standards, and her attention to detail was unparalleled.

She was also devoted to God, faithfully attending church and acting as a eucharistic minister at St. John Fisher Parish in Ontario. She will be remembered by the St. Albert the Great Parish family, particularly those who saw her every morning at weekday mass.

Jessie is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, Frank Attard; her children, Elizabeth (John) Macphail, Jacqueline Attard, Ronald (Velma) Attard, William (Anne) Attard, and Thomas Attard; her grandchildren, Melanie (Jason) Curry, Michelle Jowett, Tyler Attard, Stuart Attard, and Emily Macphail; and her great-grandchild, Madeline Curry. She also leaves behind her siblings, Mary (Paul – predeceased) Bugeja and Frank (Mary – predeceased) Schembri; brothers-in-law Steno Sant’Angelo, Oscar (Mary) Attard, Albert (Artemia) Attard, and Monsignor Edgar Attard; sisters-in-law Evelyn Attard, Mary (Victor) Mallia-Milanes, and Louise (Victor – predeceased) Attard; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded by her mother and father, Carmen and Matthew Schembri; and her sister, Lily Sant’Angelo.

Jessie’s commitment to God, her love for her family, and her unique warm personality will be deeply missed and forever loved. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Albert the Great Parish Church on Tuesday, May 23rd at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.