Obituary of Maureen Allardyce
April 16, 1954 – August 10, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lois Maureen Allardyce on August 10, 2023, at the age of 69.
Maureen was born in Edmonton Alberta but spent most of her life in Calgary. She was the third (and youngest) daughter of Bill and Mary Eagle and grew up in the Banff Trail area of NW Calgary.
She attended Banff Trail Elementary, Branton Junior High, and William Aberhart Senior High School from which she graduated in 1971. She attended the University of Calgary where she attained a bachelor’s degree in nursing as part of the second graduating class at the University.
She began her career as a Public Health Nurse with the City of Calgary. Husband Brent, who she met at the University, were married in 1975 and eventually settled in the district of Dalhousie in NW Calgary where they remained in the same house, they purchased in 1979 at Maureen’s insistence.
After having son Michael, she temporarily retired to become a full-time mother. After Michael reached school age, she returned to work as a Geriatric Nurse at the Bethany Care Centre. Maureen had a sincere empathy for seniors, in particular, those whose lives were nearing the end and were left alone.
Maureen was a very talented musician who possessed perfect pitch. She received a Royal Conservatory Degree in Voice as well a Grade 6 designation in Piano from the same organization. She was also a member of the William Aberhart High School Band where she played the flute. In addition to her musical talent, Maureen was an accomplished athlete winning a City Medal in track. Her greatest accomplishment, however, was as a figure skater where she won numerous medals until a severe leg injury virtually ended her career.
A dedicated gardener, she also obtained a Prairie Gardening Certificate from Olds College. Her gardens were a special place for her, and she leaves behind a legacy of peaceful solitude. Always having the urge to dance, she began western line dancing at age 50 where she performed extensively, and less than four months before her death she was still performing at a high level.
Her greatest joy however was the arrival of her granddaughters Isabel and Hazel. Seeing the “girls” left her with a sense of happiness that lasted until the last days of her life.
Maureen is survived by her husband Brent, son Michael (Courtney) Allardyce, granddaughters Isabel and Hazel, sisters Anne Gaskell of High River and Rosemary Waters of Calgary, brothers-in-law Wayne (Trish) Allardyce, Terry Allardyce, Sister-in-law Heather Allardyce, as well numerous nieces and nephews.
Maureen’s life was one of understated grace and achievement. She possessed a keen sense of humor until her last breath. She had an abundance of love for the creatures of the world and always made sure that the bird feeders and water baths were full year-round. A kind and caring lady, she always rooted for and quietly supported the underdogs of the world. Her inner strength and kindness were not fully appreciated until the final days of her life when she dealt with her illness virtually without complaint and always with respect to her caregivers.
Maureen and the family want to recognize the professional and empathetic care of the nurses and staff on Unit 66 of the South Health Campus who did everything in their capacity to make her last days comfortable.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 24th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Parkdale United Church (2919 8 Avenue NW Calgary). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maureen’s name to the Calgary Humane Society. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Lois’s family here.