Obituary of Lois Jacqueline Blackwell
Lois Jacqueline Blackwell of Red Deer, AB passed away peacefully with family at her side and holding her hand at the Bethany CollegeSide, Red Deer AB on Aug 8, 2024 at the age of 88 yrs.
Born in Regina, SK and growing up on a farm in Weirdale with her two sisters, Lois developed great independence, a strong work ethic and a cheeky sense of humor. One of her favorite expressions was “I’m from Weirdale. What’s your excuse?”. In early life she learned resilience and self sufficiency while living in a small wood cabin, built by her grandfather; it had no electricity or running water (just an outhouse) and was heated only by a wood-burning stove.
She had an especially close relationship with her soft-spoken, intelligent, generous, musical, and hard-working father, George Peel. She had a memorable love-hate relationship with her single-minded & ‘evil’ Shetland pony, Benny.
Getting an education was much valued but school was 5 miles away, so travel happened by whatever means necessary: walking, biking, skiing or on horseback. Her innovative father even crafted and built a horse-drawn buggy heated by a woodstove just so his daughters wouldn’t miss school, even on very cold Saskatchewan winter days.
Lois left home and worked for her room & board so she could attend a bigger high school in Saskatoon and qualify for a scholarship for higher education. She got her scholarship and graduated from Teacher’s College in Saskatchewan. Her very first job was as the sole teacher at a one-room schoolhouse in Blucher, SK with 26 students in 8 different grades.
Lois lived a rich life with many early homes & moves as the spouse of an RCAF Sergeant and as a former member of the Reserve Air Force herself. Some favorite memories were created while living for 3 years just outside of Paris in Fontainebleau, France where her husband & ‘love of her life’, Don, was posted working for NATO. There, they explored Europe, taking their 1st two children on frequent camping trips with a tent and station-wagon-style car.
Back in Canada, they eventually landed in their long-term hometown, Red Deer. Lois loved the city instantly as soon as she saw the gorgeous river valley from the top of the North Hill.
While having and raising 5 children with an age spread of 18 years, Lois still managed to do so much more. She was a much sought-after substitute teacher, where her music skills, creative spirit, and love of children & youth served her well. She would also take jobs wherever she was helpful such as in department stores (sometimes even as Mrs. Santa) or places where she could put her Air Force clerical typist training to use such as at doctor’s offices.
Along with 5 children, she also helped give a great life to many family dogs and miscellaneous pets. Any living creature with fur, feathers fins or scales was welcome in her home. Even creepy crawlies could be kept, with her only rule being “No mice!” She gardened for joy and to provide great food for her large family and anyone else in need.
She was a self-taught ‘by ear’ musician with guitar & piano being her main instruments of choice. She could remember full lyrics of any song she knew and would often craft witty spoof lyrics for fun occasions. Lois was a member of many singing groups such as the Waska-Sues and Golden Circle Choir. She was the pianist and singer for the ‘Memory Lanes’ dance band, playing at special occasions mostly just for fun but also to earn extra money to take her family out to brunch the next day, a rare treat! Lois encouraged ‘singing in the car’ on family road trips, not just to pass on the gift of music but also to prevent kids from arguing or continuously asking ‘How much further?’ Lois made sure all her children got an opportunity to be musical too. She worked hard to pay for piano lessons or send children to learn an instrument in local bands such as the Red Deer Royals.
Lois always brought her guitar for campfire sing-a-longs as her large family traveled and camped much in their tiny 17-foot Scamper trailer. She never let a limited budget stop her from allowing her family to explore the world well beyond their doorstep. The couple took advantage of Don's RCAF discount flight privileges to make frequent family trips to Vancouver Island ... although sometimes flying with "economy seating" in cots on a Hercules aircraft. They enjoyed many Christmases in Nanaimo & Victoria, forming strong connections with their large and very wecolming extended family there. (Innovative Lois used Sears mail order catalogs to ensure that there were Xmas gifts for all when they arrived.)
Later, when their children's age range was from pre-school to post-secondary, the couple even found a way to afford taking the whole family on a memorable 2-week Caribbean Cruise. Their toddler turned out to be the showstopper at sea, being given extra special treatment from the entire crew. That trip was an eye-opener. Their children witnessed much, from the affluence of some travellers to the extreme poverty in South America and the political unrest in Panama.
When kids were a little older, Lois & Don scrimped and saved to buy a fixer-upper one-room cabin on Jarvis Bay at Sylvan Lake. The whole family including grandchildren enjoyed ‘lake life’ there, often inviting friends & relatives. Le Chateau Don-Lo provided great fun for decades, even though there was no running water and only an organic toilet. The highlight of the cabin, was a cozy working 1907 SaskAlta Mclary wood-burning stove to keep them warm. Lois brought it back to Alberta from her homestead in Saskatchewan and lovingly restored it. She even wrote an article for the local paper about it called ‘The Stove That Bought A Cabin’.
Lois was an active volunteer in the community, being given a City of Red Deer Mayor’s Recognition Award for Citizenship: Continuous Voluntary Service in 2014. She founded the Waskabillies hillbilly band where she was ‘the one with the overalls, guitar and a beard’. The Waskabillies met once a week and drank wine in Lois’ basement with the running joke being that they “sometimes even rehearsed”. The Waskabillies provided humorous musical entertainment for decades, donating back into the community any proceeds. Lois also founded the Lois Club. (Yes, all members were named Lois). She led exercise classes for the Red Cross and volunteered at Red Deer Regional Hospital, mostly in Palliative Care. Lois was also a long-time member of St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Red Deer, teaching Sunday School and co-crafting VERY creative Xmas plays with long-term family friend, Irene.
Later in life, she worked 20 years to retirement in a ‘job that didn’t feel like work’ at Red Deer Public Library, mostly in the Children’s Department. Known as ‘Grandma Lo’ there, she used books, stories, puppet shows, and music all to educate and inspire children & youth. Also, an avid late-night reader, she was a member of several book clubs and frequently attended the annual Banff Book Discussion Weekend.
In retirement, Lois & Don travelled to so many places with train trips, cruises, tours and self-crafted adventures. They took numerous trips across Canada. They also travelled internationally to places like South America, Mexico, USA, and Alaska, and overseas including Southeast Asia, the Baltic (Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Germany), Britain & Ireland. They would often travel with family, friends, or relatives. Local trips to Fairmont Hot Springs were often in the mix. Another favorite trip taken several times, was catching the Amtrak to San Diego, California with Don’s brother Ray & partner Wilma. There they would rent a little room on ‘doggy beach’ and simply enjoy the warm climate and local activities. Lois & Don also kept fit with clogging dance, mostly so they could attend International Clogging Conventions abroad.
In her late life journey with Alzheimer’s, Lois still thrived, playing piano and leading sing-alongs at the Adult Day Support Program run by FSCA. Family and friends were privileged to meet the ‘new Lois’ with her more vivid recollections and storytelling around her early life.
Lois felt lucky to still be able to enjoy late life with Don in her own home with her piano & guitar, her birdfeeders & beautiful garden, and family living close by. She lived there until her sudden illness and admission to Unit 32 at Red Deer Regional Hospital at the end of May this year.
Right up to her last few days on this planet, Lois was still playing piano, singing, laughing and telling jokes, enjoying the sunshine, smiling while holding or listening to the giggles of her 1st great grand-child, attending gatherings, and revelling in the company of family and friends.
Lois will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Donald Blackwell; two sons, Tim (Kelly) Blackwell and Rob (Melanie) Blackwell; two daughters Terry Ann (Alfredo) Calderon and Suzanne Blackwell (Wayne); grand-daughters: Jessica (Brad), Rachel, Hannah, Trisha; grand-sons: Andrew, Brian (Kaitlyn), Brandon; and by her great-grandson, Chase. She was predeceased by her son David Blackwell (youngest & 5th child); sisters Leone (Carl) Plumb and June (Don) Grenkie; as well as by her parents Avis & George Peel.
A dual Memorial Service will be held for Lois and her youngest son, David at St Luke’s Anglican Church, 4929 – 54 Street, Red Deer AB (Ven. Noel Wygiera presiding) on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 3:00 pm. A casual sharing of memories will follow.
With so much gratitude for the infinite support of so many, the family asks that In lieu of flowers, you consider “giving back” as Lois would have done. Memorial donations may be directed to:
St Luke’s Anglican Church at https://www.oldchurchrd.com/
Adult Day Support Program (run by Family Services of Central Alberta) at https://fsca.ca/adult-day-support-program/
Red Deer Regional Hospital Foundation at https://www.rdrhfoundation.com/
or to a Musical, Educational, Children’s or Youth Charity or Organization of your choice.
Condolences to Lois’s family, or better yet the sharing of your favorite stories, may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Lois Blackwell” in the subject line.
Arrangements in care of
Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service
A locally owned cremation and funeral provider
serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta
587-876-4944