FREDDA DOREEN HARKER ALSTON
Beloved sweetheart and eternal companion of Joseph Calvin Alston, who predeceased her January 9, 1989; passed quietly away February 3rd, 2021.
Angel mother of 6: Wade (Gloria Varagona), Diane (Bruce Christensen), Burns deceased (Karen Tanner), Marianne (Terry Roberts), Mona (Don Mehew), Karen (Darrel Chipman); “practically perfect” grandmother of 29; loving great grandmother of 100, and great-great-grandmother to one.
As a teacher, nurturer, and homemaker, her house and heart were opened to many; Keith Bedard, Roberta Poloski, Mary Sabey, Jane Dudley, and Nikki Havens were welcomed, as well as numerous grandchildren and friends.
Born June 5, 1929 in Magrath, the oldest daughter of Iola Sabey and Burns Harker, she shared an idyllic childhood with brother LaRon, cousins and friends, gathering eggs, selling cream and butter, riding horses, mastering the famous bicycle, working in the beets, and receiving her education. While attending university in Calgary, her sister Elizabeth joined the family. After graduation she taught in Coaldale for one year, then married her handsome sailor Cal, September 28, 1949 in the Alberta Temple in Cardston.
Magrath was their home, and they moved a farmhouse to the new basement spot on Harker Avenue, where the renovating began. Farming came first, followed by Cal’s career as postmaster, with Doreen and kids the designated janitors.
Doreen loved to teach, and worried about every student she influenced in school, in church and in community settings. She served many years on the library board, was instrumental in the saving of the big school bell.
She was blessed with a keen mind, and loved to read, solve crossword puzzles and prepare poems, presentations, programs and lessons. Her bike riding was legendary, and she loved feeding and hosting family while spending time on the deck or in the back yard, while grandchildren squealed with delight on the swing set.
Her happy time was spent in her kitchen, baking and preparing meals and treats to deliver to family and friends. She was feverishly busy before each grandchild’s graduation, as she completed their priceless memory binders.
Trips to Waterton, Calgary Stampedes, and baseball games with friends and family were treasured highlights. Visits to family living afar, were grand adventures.
She served ably in ward and stake organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing her firm testimony, exhibiting faith that she could do hard things and trusting her sustaining knowledge that “Families could be together forever”. She loved her later years serving as an ordinance worker in the Cardston Alberta Temple.
She was predeceased by her husband Cal, her son Burns, her parents Burns and Iola (Sabey) Harker, her brothers LaRon and Bert, her sister Lucille, and in-laws, Joe and Norma (Woolley) Alston, Beulah (Jay Holst ), Doug (Janet Turner).
She is survived by 5 of her children, their 6 spouses, her precious grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter; her sister Elizabeth (Greg Strong), Cal’s sister Hope Alston, and brother Tyler Alston (Gloria Harker), and countless nieces and nephews who adored her.
As her family, we express deep gratitude to the staff at the Diamond Willow Terrace and Home Care for their dedicated service and kind care through this last challenging year. She loved gazing across the road at her old Harker home, and checking on the horses. We thank all of you for the many genuine expressions of support and sympathy we have received, accompanied by delicious food.
We will miss our “Silver Fox”, but promise to pick a bouquet of spring lilacs, ride bicycles, cheer for family at sporting events, eat home-made fudge and popcorn while “oohing” at fireworks, meet and eat often with family and friends, dance to a Sinatra tune, treasure our heritage, and love all unconditionally in her honor.
Friends may meet the Family at the Legacy Funeral Home in Cardston on Sunday, February 7th from 4 to 6:00 p.m. Covid guidelines apply.
A Private Funeral Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home on Monday, February 8th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment in the Magrath Cemetery. “In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Magrath Public Library” For the library donations cheques can be written to “Magrath Public Library“ at box 295 Magrath, Ab, T0K1J0 or etransfer to karenchipman@hotmail.com
Tax receipts are available.Please include an address if you want a receipt. Thanks
To Send Condolences click here
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Beloved sweetheart and eternal companion of Joseph Calvin Alston, who predeceased her January 9, 1989; passed quietly away February 3rd, 2021.
Angel mother of 6: Wade (Gloria Varagona), Diane (Bruce Christensen), Burns deceased (Karen Tanner), Marianne (Terry Roberts), Mona (Don Mehew), Karen (Darrel Chipman); “practically perfect” grandmother of 29; loving great grandmother of 100, and great-great-grandmother to one.
As a teacher, nurturer, and homemaker, her house and heart were opened to many; Keith Bedard, Roberta Poloski, Mary Sabey, Jane Dudley, and Nikki Havens were welcomed, as well as numerous grandchildren and friends.
Born June 5, 1929 in Magrath, the oldest daughter of Iola Sabey and Burns Harker, she shared an idyllic childhood with brother LaRon, cousins and friends, gathering eggs, selling cream and butter, riding horses, mastering the famous bicycle, working in the beets, and receiving her education. While attending university in Calgary, her sister Elizabeth joined the family. After graduation she taught in Coaldale for one year, then married her handsome sailor Cal, September 28, 1949 in the Alberta Temple in Cardston.
Magrath was their home, and they moved a farmhouse to the new basement spot on Harker Avenue, where the renovating began. Farming came first, followed by Cal’s career as postmaster, with Doreen and kids the designated janitors.
Doreen loved to teach, and worried about every student she influenced in school, in church and in community settings. She served many years on the library board, was instrumental in the saving of the big school bell.
She was blessed with a keen mind, and loved to read, solve crossword puzzles and prepare poems, presentations, programs and lessons. Her bike riding was legendary, and she loved feeding and hosting family while spending time on the deck or in the back yard, while grandchildren squealed with delight on the swing set.
Her happy time was spent in her kitchen, baking and preparing meals and treats to deliver to family and friends. She was feverishly busy before each grandchild’s graduation, as she completed their priceless memory binders.
Trips to Waterton, Calgary Stampedes, and baseball games with friends and family were treasured highlights. Visits to family living afar, were grand adventures.
She served ably in ward and stake organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing her firm testimony, exhibiting faith that she could do hard things and trusting her sustaining knowledge that “Families could be together forever”. She loved her later years serving as an ordinance worker in the Cardston Alberta Temple.
She was predeceased by her husband Cal, her son Burns, her parents Burns and Iola (Sabey) Harker, her brothers LaRon and Bert, her sister Lucille, and in-laws, Joe and Norma (Woolley) Alston, Beulah (Jay Holst ), Doug (Janet Turner).
She is survived by 5 of her children, their 6 spouses, her precious grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter; her sister Elizabeth (Greg Strong), Cal’s sister Hope Alston, and brother Tyler Alston (Gloria Harker), and countless nieces and nephews who adored her.
As her family, we express deep gratitude to the staff at the Diamond Willow Terrace and Home Care for their dedicated service and kind care through this last challenging year. She loved gazing across the road at her old Harker home, and checking on the horses. We thank all of you for the many genuine expressions of support and sympathy we have received, accompanied by delicious food.
We will miss our “Silver Fox”, but promise to pick a bouquet of spring lilacs, ride bicycles, cheer for family at sporting events, eat home-made fudge and popcorn while “oohing” at fireworks, meet and eat often with family and friends, dance to a Sinatra tune, treasure our heritage, and love all unconditionally in her honor.
Friends may meet the Family at the Legacy Funeral Home in Cardston on Sunday, February 7th from 4 to 6:00 p.m. Covid guidelines apply.
A Private Funeral Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home on Monday, February 8th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment in the Magrath Cemetery. “In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Magrath Public Library” For the library donations cheques can be written to “Magrath Public Library“ at box 295 Magrath, Ab, T0K1J0 or etransfer to karenchipman@hotmail.com
Tax receipts are available.Please include an address if you want a receipt. Thanks
To Send Condolences click here
To Watch Livestream Click Here