It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Sally Anne Goodstriker (Calfrobe), “Kotaakkaakii – Spirit Woman,” who passed away on November 1 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Sally was born on the Blood Reserve on December 26, 1941. She was raised by her mother, Jean Calfrobe, alongside her brothers Hugh and Gus, who loved her dearly. At the age of 16, her brothers sent her to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to attend school and avoid the hardships of the Blood Reserve Residential School. It was there that she completed her nursing degree.
She began her career at the Blood Indian Hospital and later worked at the Cardston Municipal Hospital. She eventually transitioned into social work, serving the Blood Reserve before moving to Wenatchee, Washington where she taught Indigenous crafts at the local college. After several years, she returned to Cardston and continued her work in the healthcare field.
Sally played an instrumental role in developing the Bullhorn/Cardston Boxing Club, where she served as a judge and mentor to many young men from the reserve and surrounding area. She later worked at the Alberta Children’s Hospital where she created the Indigenous Headstart program in her role of Executive Liaison Social Worker. The program is still supporting Indigenous families today. She eventually became the chair of the CHR, a position she held until her retirement in ~2010.
Retirement did not slow her down—she continued to serve on various committees and boards, always driven by her passion to help others. She was also a talented jewelry maker, and her beautiful creations could be found at Indigenous conferences, sporting events, and every weekend at Bully’s during the horse races.
Sally loved to travel, meet new people, and was known for her generosity and kindness. She had numerous furry companions she loved, Flower, Panda, Begera, Issitchema and many many more. She had a gift for connecting with others and a deep compassion for those in need.
She is survived by her children and grandchildren:
Michelle (Gary) Quinton; Tiffany (Jeff) McKenna: Hayes, Houston, Hoyt; Chase Quinton; Jasmine (Keyko) Velazquez: Lincoln, Maliah; Jerrica (PJ) Gutierrez: Rya, Eli; Kendra (Kash) Merrill: Kyler, Mateo, Sawyer, Brexton; Maria Goodstriker (Barry Webber), Kasey Goodstriker, Nicole (Jonathan) Goodstriker Clayton; and her favorite son Aaron Goodstriker
A Memorial Service will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. Cremation has taken place.
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Sally was born on the Blood Reserve on December 26, 1941. She was raised by her mother, Jean Calfrobe, alongside her brothers Hugh and Gus, who loved her dearly. At the age of 16, her brothers sent her to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to attend school and avoid the hardships of the Blood Reserve Residential School. It was there that she completed her nursing degree.
She began her career at the Blood Indian Hospital and later worked at the Cardston Municipal Hospital. She eventually transitioned into social work, serving the Blood Reserve before moving to Wenatchee, Washington where she taught Indigenous crafts at the local college. After several years, she returned to Cardston and continued her work in the healthcare field.
Sally played an instrumental role in developing the Bullhorn/Cardston Boxing Club, where she served as a judge and mentor to many young men from the reserve and surrounding area. She later worked at the Alberta Children’s Hospital where she created the Indigenous Headstart program in her role of Executive Liaison Social Worker. The program is still supporting Indigenous families today. She eventually became the chair of the CHR, a position she held until her retirement in ~2010.
Retirement did not slow her down—she continued to serve on various committees and boards, always driven by her passion to help others. She was also a talented jewelry maker, and her beautiful creations could be found at Indigenous conferences, sporting events, and every weekend at Bully’s during the horse races.
Sally loved to travel, meet new people, and was known for her generosity and kindness. She had numerous furry companions she loved, Flower, Panda, Begera, Issitchema and many many more. She had a gift for connecting with others and a deep compassion for those in need.
She is survived by her children and grandchildren:
Michelle (Gary) Quinton; Tiffany (Jeff) McKenna: Hayes, Houston, Hoyt; Chase Quinton; Jasmine (Keyko) Velazquez: Lincoln, Maliah; Jerrica (PJ) Gutierrez: Rya, Eli; Kendra (Kash) Merrill: Kyler, Mateo, Sawyer, Brexton; Maria Goodstriker (Barry Webber), Kasey Goodstriker, Nicole (Jonathan) Goodstriker Clayton; and her favorite son Aaron Goodstriker
A Memorial Service will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. Cremation has taken place.
Click to Send Condolences to the Family