Avice E. Stephenson

Avice Eileen Stephenson passed away peacefully and comfortably on Saturday 30 July 2016 at Golden Eagle View Long Term Care in Canmore with her husband Gerald and daughter Glennis by her side and was aware in her final moments that they were with her, which was a great blessing. Avice was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease ten years previously and, after being cared for at home for seven years, had been in Long Term Care since December 2012.

Avice Eileen Stephenson (nee Gratton) was born in Prestatyn, North Wales on 8 December 1931. Her parents moved to Workington in Northern England at an early age and she attended Workington Grammar School where, unlike her future husband, Gerald, who attended the same school, she excelled academically. Gerald remembers her as a tomboy, a bit of a rebel and a terrific tennis player. They went their separate ways after school. Avice worked as a secretary while Gerald went to University. He then joined the local tennis club and, lo and behold, Avice was a member. They played a good deal of singles tennis where Gerald summoned up the courage to propose to her. Avice accepted but they were told by her mother that Gerald must formally ask Mr. Gratton for his daughter's hand in marriage. This request was made in Mr. Gratton's aviary where over 200 budgerigars listened intently to Gerald's request and Mr. Gratton's agreement.

The happy couple were married on 19 June 1954 and moved into a small but lovely home built by Avice's father. They had $200 in the bank, a clapped out 15 year old motor cycle for transportation and not much furniture. They came home from honeymoon and, the next day, Gerald went back to work as a coal miner digging five tons of coal a shift for $2,50 per day. Avice would not allow him into the house, there were no pit head baths, until he had stripped off in the garden so she could wash him and his pit clothes with a garden hose. A year later, on 7 June 1955, their daughter, Glennis, was born. In 1960 they went to NE. India where they spent 5 very happy years, Gerald being General Manager of a large coal company. In 1968, they came to Canmore, Alberta where they have lived ever since. When they arrived Canmore had a population of about 1200, mostly dependent on the Canmore Mines Ltd. It was a happy friendly town and within 6 months they knew half the population by their first names.

Avice took up golf and curling and later joined the Canmore Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. She loved this work, volunteering in Long Term care which she found very rewarding. She particularly enjoyed looking after one elderly Indian gentleman who would kick her on the shin occasionally if she was a little slow in responding. She and Gerald initially lived in the log cabin on the river; then they built their first home on the river where they had to cut down 120 trees. Avice specialised in attaching a block and tackle to the tree and persuading it to fall in the correct place when Gerald got the cuts wrong. Avice was an enthusiastic gardener and created a lovely garden on the river with mine rock used for walls and rockeries. In 1974 Gerald and Avice formed a mine consulting company operating out of their basement. Avice was secretary, accountant and mapmaker. When eight copies of an 800 page report had to be printed and bound in their basement Lena and Maurice Fitzgerald became willing office assistants. In 1979 the company joined with two partners and Norwest Corporation was born in Avice's sunroom. Gerald was President for 25 years and Avice travelled with him to work in Australia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, New Zealand and the USA. Avice loved Canmore passionately and was a driving force in preventing airports being built in the valley during the late 1970s.

In 1993 Glennis moved to Scotland to become a Professor of English Literature at the University of Stirling. In 2004 Avice and Gerry acquired a small house in her village and would go there for a while in summer and not too long in winter. In 1993 they designed and built "Cumbria House", Canmore's first all rock house, on the river. They filled it with antique doors, lights and furniture. In 2004 they moved to 906 11th St where they created the tenth garden of their partnership complete with a pool, waterfall and stream. In all the houses they have built, six in all, Avice did a wonderful job on the interior design.

Cremation has taken place and their many friends are invited to a celebration of Avice's life which will be held at their home and garden, 906 11th St, Canmore from noon to 2.30 pm. on Saturday 13 August. Gerald and Glennis wish to thank their doctor Dr. John Michalyshyn and the staff of Golden Eagle View for the care and attention they gave to Avice. They are a truly wonderful group. Instead of flowers we would appreciate if donations were made to the Canmore Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, Box 40016, Canmore, AB T1W 3H9 (chladiesaux@gmail.com)

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.