Zelda Nelson

Artist Zelda Nelson passed away in her home on Monday,

April 13, 2015, in the company of her two sons, Nelson Henricks

and Darren Henricks. Her two sisters, Eileen Parent of Rimbey, Alberta and Hazel Paradis of Red Deer, Alberta also survive her.

Zelda was born in Saskatoon, and raised on a farm near Donovan by her loving parents Antoinette "Tony" and Moroni "Roan" Nelson.

In 1962 she married Neil Henricks. Her two sons were born shortly afterwards. Following many moves within southern Saskatchewan and Alberta, the family finally settled in Calgary in 1971. Zelda's love of the mountains compelled her to move to Canmore in 1987.

Zelda was a professional hairstylist, many locals first came to know her at the Klip and Kurl Hair Salon. While working there, Zelda nurtured the dream of becoming a professional artist. In the late 1990's, she retired from hairstyling, making a successful transition to fulltime artist.

Zelda achieved renown for her vibrant canvases depicting the Canadian Rockies, a subject that offered her endless inspiration. Lake O'Hara, Mount Assiniboine and The Three Sisters were among her favourite subjects. Her work is represented by the Avens Gallery of Canmore:

a posthumous exhibition of her work will open on May 9.

Those who knew Zelda appreciated her vivacious energy, her sense of humour, and her love of laughter. Some of you might have met her walking her Siberian Husky, Rio along the Bow River, or may have seen her painting on location in the Canmore environs. Her long-term involvement with the Canmore Art Guild "CAG" Gallery earned her many friends, who will all miss her greatly.

Her passing will be mourned by her two sons, by her many cousins, by her Auntie Albertine "Al" Myren of Saskatoon, by her nieces Deb Waldo and Michelle Paquette, and her nephew Rod Paradis.

A memorial celebrating Zelda's life was held Saturday, May 16

at the Canmore Miner's Union Hall.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.