Mary Geneva Buchanan

March 22, 1924 - May 29, 2013

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Geneva Buchanan (nee Wood) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the age of 89 years with her loving husband, soulmate and best friend Bob Buchanan by her side, holding her hand. Geneva and Bob had recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on May 1. Geneva was born in Oxford, Nova Scotia on March 22, 1924 to Clayton and Hazel Wood. She attended grade school in Oxford and grew up quickly when, at the age of 14, she lost her mother to cancer and had to assume the role of mother to help her father raise her six brothers; Gerald, Lewis, Milford, Rex, Ron and Curtis. Geneva met Bob in the fall of 1945 at a dance in Moncton, NB, shortly after Bob was discharged from the Navy. They married on May 1, 1946 in Moncton and moved west to Calgary to start their new life together. Bob and Geneva have many fond memories of their early days together where Bob's work in the oil patch took them to live in Virden, Stettler, Hanna, Sylvan Lake, and Estevan. They moved back to Calgary in 1956 and bought their first home in the community of Highwood where they lived for 48 years. Since 2010 they have lived at Staywell Manor in Garrison Woods where they have received excellent support from the great staff and have enjoyed socializing with their many new friends and attending movie nights. Geneva was a gentle, caring and compassionate person who always made you feel welcome. She had an infectious laugh, was a fabulous cook, a tireless homemaker and a great hostess for countless dinners and gatherings for family and friends. Geneva had many fond memories of family Christmas gatherings, Friday night dinners with the Dertell’s, Gin Rummy Club, Bridge Club and just getting together for coffee and a chat with her many friends. She loved to travel and had many fond memories her summer vacations in Gull Lake and Osoyoos and of her many cruises and vacations to Hawaii, the UK, Las Vegas, Phoenix and to visit her many relatives in Nova Scotia. Geneva was a loyal and devoted fan of the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders, rarely missed a game and never lost faith in her teams. She was a wonderful and caring mother and grandmother who never judged and always offered her unconditional love and support. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sons Alan (Ricarda), Tom (Kim), Brian, daughter-in-law Helen Yuen (Kai) and her grandchildren Aurora, Kailey, Connor, Franklin, Brayden and Christian. Geneva is also survived by brother and sister-in-law Bill and Jean Buchanan of Calgary; brother Curtis Wood of Montreal; sister-in-laws Margaret Wood of Amherst, NS; Margaret Wood of Oxford, NS; Mary Wood of Amherst, NS, Betty Tracy of Sackville NB and numerous nieces and nephews. Geneva was predeceased by her parents Hazel and Clayton Wood, brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Verna Wood, brothers Rex Wood, Lewis Wood, Milford Wood, Ron Wood, sister-in-law Clara Wood, mother and father-in-law William and Barbara Buchanan, brother and sister-in-law Harold and Margaret Buchanan and sister-in-law Dorothy Wheeler. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Southwood Hospice and Unit 62 at the Foothills hospital for their compassionate care and support. A Funeral Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta at www.heartandstroke.ab.ca. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family on the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial