Obituary of Julie AITKEN

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Julie Aitken (nee Van Nest) on June 1, 2014. Julie was the loving wife of the late Bob (Robert) Aitken, who passed away on June 2, 2001. Born in 1931, Julie grew up in Toronto and Collingwood, Ontario - and spent many summers as a child at her grandparents cottage on the Nottawasaga River. In 1955, Julie graduated with honours from the Ontario College of Art. Her keen interest for fine art and great design continued throughout her life. Her attention to detail was evident in everything she did and she approached every day of her life with grace, style and quiet strength. Her love affair with the mountains began as a student at OCA when she travelled west to work summers at the Chateau Lake Louise. Julie had many grand adventures around the world: skiing in the Rockies and the Alps, hiking the Dolomites, sailing the Turkish coast, snorkelling and swimming in Hawaii, to name a few. Her friends and family truly admired her adventurous spirit. She remained very active throughout her life. Over the past 15+ years, she spent cherished time hiking and cross-country skiing with her wonderful friends in the Evergreen Seniors and M ‘n’ M Outdoors Clubs. Julie was a loving mother and grandmother and is survived by her children Robin, Heather (Jim) and Colin (Colleen) and her grandchildren Sarah, Aidan, Liam, and Lindsay. She is survived by her sister Joan (Bill), her brother Paul, many nieces and nephews and many special friends. Julie's family is grateful to Dr LeMay, Dr Ruether and his team at Tom Baker, the Palliative Home Care team, and the Foothills Country Hospice for the wonderful care that Julie received. In keeping with Julie's wishes, there will be no funeral service. Please forward condolences through www.hffs.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Banff National Park (www.friendsofbanff.com), Friends of Kananaskis (www.kananaskis.org) or the Foothills Country Hospice (countryhospice.org).