Lesley Alderson

Lesley Jean Kelly Alderson (Alexander) was born in Edmonton on

Nov. 18, 1966. She moved to Canmore as a child, in 1971, with her parents, Bob and Joan Alexander, and her brother, Rob.

Lesley attended school in Canmore from preschool through to

Grade 12, graduating in 1984. Following graduation, she attended Mount Royal College before enrolling in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary on her way to fulfilling her dream to become a teacher. She graduated from the U of C in 1992.

As a new teacher, she learned the Morley Community School (MCS) needed substitute teachers. From a substitute, she became the school librarian and then a classroom teacher, followed by roles as vice-principal and then guidance counsellor. Lesley's 20-year legacy at MCS can be seen in its students. Kind and gentle, Lesley quickly demonstrated she cared deeply for the children of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, a commitment that never wavered.

It was 2004 that her friend and colleague Tara Penner introduced Lesley to her brother Andrew Alderson. Lesley and Andrew were married on the hill overlooking Quarry Lake on a fine spring day

in May 2007.

Lesley would learn she had cancer in mid-May, 2013.

Shortly afterwards, she learned it was incurable. She was given a timeline of months. Lesley faced that diagnosis with courage and grace. She remained upbeat and positive throughout her nearly three-month ordeal and her wide smile, such a regular part of her demeanour and personality, did not fade. That characteristic smile was there right to her last day.

Lesley inspired many by choosing to face her fate with dignity, bravery and humour, reminding us of the best possible way to live our lives. In the end, her spirit was stronger than the cancer and that has made her death at the Canmore Hospital early Friday morning, with Andrew at her side, easier to bear. Throughout the past few months, her spirit shone as brightly as it always did and as it did (to share just one example) a few years ago when she ran around the bizarre-looking hoodoos of Goblin Valley in Utah under a full moon and

giggling like an excited child.

A celebration of Lesley's life was held at St. Michael's Anglican Church in Canmore on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013. Her friend and mentor Betty Piwowar officiated the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to remember Lesley may make donations, in her memory, for cancer research, to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, # 710 - 10123 - 99 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.