VELMA SECRETAN NISH, age 97, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017. She was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1919, at the home of her grandparents at Kimball, Alberta to Charles Secretan and Mabel Bennett Secretan. She was the oldest in a family of seven children with siblings Louis, Glen, Bill, Evan, Shirley, and Bob. The family homesteaded and in 1927 they moved to Whiskey Gap to be closer to school. Because they finally moved close enough for her to got to school, she started Grade 1 at the age of 8 years. She was delighted to learn to read and it was a life-long passion. School was easy for her and by the time she was 14, she finished Grade 10. The closest high school to finish her last two years was too far away for her to attend so her formal schooling ended. When Velma was 16, she went to a dance at Kimball and met the love of her life, Glenn Nish. They were married in 1936 and to them were born six children– Gary (Apryl), Sharon (Ron) Pitcher, Wayne (Debbie), Lynn (Barb), Alan, and Glenda (Kim) Laycock. Their posterity includes 20 grandchildren, 60 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. Glenn and Velma farmed and ranched in the Jefferson area until they retired in 1970 and moved to Cardston. Velma got a job in the post office but Glenn’s health declined and he passed away in 1989. Velma was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a number of capacities including a Family History mission in Salt Lake and as a temple worker for many years. Velma was always a calm, kind, hard-working woman who laughed easily and really enjoyed her life. In her journal she said, “I like children, warm sunny days, animals, books, chocolate, flowers, trees, green grass, people, and my children to be close by.” She met her challenges with dignity and grit. We will miss you mom.

​As per Velma’s wishes, she was cremated and a memorial service was held later on July 3, 2017, at the Temple Street Chapel, Cardston, AB.
      Condolences may be sent to: www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family.  Phone 403-653-3222.