Ceci was born and raised in the city of Battleford, Saskatchewan with parents (Judge) Walter & Gertrude Clink and her four siblings Bill, Eunice, Enid and John. She attended Battleford Central and graduated from Battleford Collegiate Institute. Most summers, the family hiked out to their cottage at Eight Mile Lake carrying essential items to stay for the summer. She completed a secretarial course and worked in the telephone office above her dad’s law practice.
She met the love of her life, Allan, at the University of Saskatchewan where she was studying nursing. They sat side by side (alphabetically) in their lectures in chemistry and bacteriology. After walking between lectures for a few weeks, and playing bridge together in their spares, they started to realize they enjoyed each other’s company. They had carried on this way for a few years and were great friends, when a friend remarked that they really should get married! When Allan was heading out with the navy in the spring of 1951, Ceci told him she had made arrangements for them to get married at the chapel at the University when the ship came back. And you better believe they did.
Ceci worked at the Royal Bank in Saskatoon while Allan finished his degrees. After university, they moved to Alberta where Allan had lined up a job in the oil patch. They moved to Edmonton for a job with Gulf Oil and started their family with the arrival of Faralee. They later moved to Stettler where Sherry was born, and Michelle arrived when they moved to Calgary. At that point, they chose to settle in Calgary and thus concluded their family additions or there may have been more siblings. The Chanin household was bustling with three daughters and a rotating menagerie of pets including cats, hamsters/gerbils, birds and a rabbit, most of which Ceci resisted and then ended up caring for.
Summers were filled with camping adventures at Buffalo Lake, Shuswap and Kokanee Springs or visiting relatives in Victoria, Battleford and Stonewall/Winnipeg. Ceci loved the sun and could often be found floating on an air mattress with friends while her children tried to bury each other on the beach.
As the children became more independent, Ceci resumed part-time employment with the Royal Bank. Once the kids were fully grown, Ceci had enough of Calgary winters and sought the warmth of the sun in Yuma, Arizona. She loved to travel and experienced a tour of China as well as trips with her family to England, Scotland, Portugal, Spain, Aruba, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and multiple trips to Mexico and Italy.
She loved her children, but more than that, she adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The woman who would enforce vegetable eating when her children were younger, kept chocolate chips that she called ‘green beans’ as an offering to her grandchildren. She made special memories with each and everyone of them. Given the choice, Ceci always insisted on sitting at the kid’s table for our big family dinners and was never afraid to get down on the floor to play with the children.
She was recognized by the Calgary Herald and Alberta Children’s Hospital for donating thousands of knit dolls (known in our family as Georges) so no child would feel alone while receiving care. She leaves a legacy of love for all those who received a George.
Ceci was known for her dry humour and quick wit. She was stoic, pragmatic and a realist. She met life head on and encouraged her daughters to do the same. She will be dearly missed by husband Allan, daughters Faralee (John), Sherry, Michelle (Jeff), grandchildren Melissa, Christine, Alexander, Paige, Danielle, Logan, great grandchildren and extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring at a location and date/time to be announced, to allow out-of- town friends and family to make arrangements to attend if they are able. The time and location will be advised. Those wishing to donate in memory of Ceci can do so to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary or one in your local area. The family would love to hear any stories you may have of Ceci and would gratefully accept any photos as well.
DONACIONES
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.11.2