Obituary of Melonie MORELAND

June 23, 1927 – Vibank, SK January 13, 2016 – Calgary, AB Melonie (“Millie”) Moreland was born June 23, 1927 in Vibank, Saskatchewan and passed away suddenly in the peace of her own home on January 13, 2016. Daughter of Herman Fink and Maria Theresa Young, Millie was predeceased by her husband, James Currie Moreland, and her brothers Roy and George Fink. She is survived by her three children, Brian Moreland (Sandy), Wendy Moreland (C. Kemm Yates), and Colleen Moreland, all of Calgary. “Grammie” will be especially missed by her grandchildren Colin Moreland (Sharon), James Moreland (Amy Benny), Danielle Moreland, Elspeth and Alice Yates, and Mackenzie and Samantha Wood. Millie is also survived by her sisters Margaret Meszaros and Faye Barnes (Richard), and sisters-in-law Pauline Fink, Tibbie McClelland, Jean Winter and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Millie grew up in rural Saskatchewan in the difficult years of the Depression where her work ethic, independence and appreciation for the value of family were forged on the family farm. At age 15, she took the bold step of moving to the big city (Regina), attending business school, and gaining her first “paying” job at the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Amidst wartime dances, movies, corn roasts and rounds of ale, she found her favorite dance partner. At 24, Millie married the charming Jim Moreland, and courageously followed her heart by moving to Calgary to begin a life far from her family. Once in Calgary, Millie began her career at Calgary Power (TransAlta Utilities). Before children, she and Jim enjoyed an active social life, particularly their trips to Banff. When their children came along, Jim built the home Millie continued to live in, love and care for with immense pride, right to her very last breath. She did all the “Mom things” involved in running a beautiful home and flower garden, while simultaneously helping Jim with his business and working outside the home with her trademark efficiency and professionalism, ultimately becoming Executive Assistant to the senior executive group at TransAlta. While Millie did take some time out of the work force to raise their children, she was a working woman very much ahead of her time, commuting in her silver Mustang with red leather seats. Millie retired from TransAlta and her self-imposed requirement to sport fashionable heels at age 60 (stealthily avoiding the introduction of computers), but kept in touch with work colleagues right up to the TransAlta holiday event last month. Millie and Jim were both fortunate enough to do some travelling and meet the first batch of grandchildren (Colin, James and Danielle) prior to Jim’s passing in 1992. Elspeth, Mackenzie, Alice and Samantha were the second wave of grandchildren to enjoy Grammie’s legendary baking and the purse that produced an endless supply of candies. Grammie had a unique and beautiful relationship with each of her grandchildren, and took a genuine interest in getting to know who they were from the time they were babies to the very end. Grammie could not have been more cherished in return, and was undoubtedly the coolest grandmother one could hope for. Millie’s foundation was at all times her family and close friends, her work, and her quiet but steadfast faith in God, which sustained her with immeasurable strength and grace. The worlds of so many will never be the same with the loss of our beautiful, resilient, independent, selfless and eternally youthful Mom, Grammie, Sister, “Millie”. With the twinkle in her eye, always immaculate hairdo and dimples on display, we have no doubt that flights of angels will sing her to her rest. We will miss her more than words can express, and thank her deeply for teaching us all how to treat others with love and compassion; we can only hope to carry her legacy with dignity. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Community (800 – 85 Street S.W.) on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 11:00 am. The family will gather at St. Mary’s Cemetery at a later date to bury Millie’s urn. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.