Linda May Weber

Linda passed peacefully at the Roozen Family Hospice Centre on a beautiful sunny morning and the world lost a beautiful soul… wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, cousin, friend to so many and volunteer extraordinaire.

Linda was born on the farm in Hines Creek, Alberta. She was the eldest of eight children born to Ruby and Eben McKay. Family, hard work, friends and community service were cornerstones of Linda’s life from an early age. Her father passed away when she was 17 and she postponed her wedding to her sweetheart Rudy so she could help her Mom with the farm and with her younger siblings.

Rudy and Linda were married May 9, 1959 and they eventually settled in the Alcan Trailer Park between Fort St. John and Taylor, B.C. Almost one year after their wedding, they were blessed with the arrival of Kenneth Wayne. Over the next several years, they then welcomed Shelley May, Sandra Jean and Randall Blaine to the family. Sadly, Kenny passed away in December 1974.

Rudy’s work in the oilpatch took the family from B.C. to Leduc, Alberta and from there to Nottingham, England. Upon their return from England, Rudy and Linda spent several more years in Leduc before moving to Millet for twenty years. Finally, about nine years ago, they moved back to Leduc to be closer to family.

Wherever their home was, the door was always open and all who arrived were greeted with a beautiful smile and warm hug from Linda. The tea was always on and most times the smell of home cooked meals or baking was in the air. As anyone who received a Christmas card, a thoughtful note, a box of baked goods, hand knit slippers, a crocheted baby blanket or simply a sympathetic ear from Linda will attest to, nobody who came in to her life was ever forgotten.

No matter where they lived, Linda quickly became an integral part of the community. She volunteered at all the kids’ schools, she was a Brownie and Girl Guide Leader, she taught Sunday School, she held numerous positions and roles with minor, junior and senior hockey in Fort St. John, Leduc, Millet and Nottingham, she was a long-time employee of and part of the family at Corinthia Flowers and she held key volunteer positions with the Millet and District Historical Society for over 20 years. In fact, even in the week leading up to her diagnosis, Linda was still working on the Museum monthly minutes and organizing her cherished bingo workers. On many occasions, Linda was recognized for her tireless volunteer contributions including being named as Volunteer of the Year and as a Pioneer in Volunteering.

Sports and games were a big part of Linda’s life. As a participant, she played softball, curled, golfed, and bowled and she loved all family games from bolo golf or horseshoes at the lake, to a game of pool in their basement and endless card games at the kitchen table. As passionate fans, Rudy and Linda were Oilers’ season seat holders for years at the Coliseum and they hosted many Grey Cup parties. The television was always on when the Blue Jays or Raptors were playing and when any curling championship was being televised.

Linda leaves behind – husband Rudy, daughters Shelley (Mark) and Sandra (Lea), son Randall (Teresa), grandchildren Paige (Matt), Brogan (Jonny), Brandon and Amanda, great-grandchildren Amilee and Alessi, sisters Harriet, Chris (Mike) and Helen (Gene), brother Jim (Cherie), sisters-in law Lena, Doreen, Audrey and Edna, brothers-in-law Jules and Ed, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and friends too numerous to list.

Linda was predeceased by – son Kenny, father Eben, mother Ruby, step-father Raymond, parents-in-law Elizabeth and Julius, brothers Bill, Ron and Danny and sisters-in-law, Anne and Alice.

Special thanks to all the staff on Unit 4A2 at the University of Alberta Hospital where Mom spent two and a half weeks after her diagnosis, the health care aides from Exquisacare who lovingly cared for Mom for the month she was able to be at home after leaving the hospital, and the incredible staff and volunteers at the Roozen Family Hospice Centre where Mom was fortunate enough to spend her final ten days.

Gracious, selfless and dignified to the end, Mom could not say enough about the unbelievable care and support she received during the two month whirlwind from her diagnosis to her passing. She was never bitter, she never complained, and she only thought of others during this time.

Although we know it is not in your nature, it is finally time for you to rest Mom. Dad and all the kids and grandkids are taken care of thanks to you. Relax and enjoy your precious reunion with Kenny and your four-handed crib games with your brothers Bill, Ron and Danny.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations, in Linda’s honour, to Millet and District Historical Society, Pilgrims Hospice Society or Alberta Cancer Society.

Celebration of Life to be announced for a later date.

A LIFE WELL LIVED