Condolences
To Allan and the entire Family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. Al - I so clearly remember the time during my many years with the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus asking you how it was that you were so gifted with, not only a fabulous voice, but such polished musicianship as well. That day, we had a great long chat about your Mom and all of the (obvious) influence she had on you - and many others I am sure.
May she rest in peace.
Lori Ann Edwards
My condolences to Ornan and family and the Calderwood family. May you experience the comfort of the Lord.
I always appreciated how Ethel blessed many with her gift of music and hospitality. You are in my prayers.
Arleigh Porte
Thank you for the gift of music
Johanna spent many years taking music classes
Our sympathies to the family
Teresa johanna
You are always in my prayers. Mrs Huber.I miss you and Mr huber
Johanna
We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Ornan & family and to the Calderwood family.
Doug Barnes & family,
Granum
Ethel Huber -- a woman worthy of praise! One in a million ...
A rare jewel -- an example of a godly woman, one of those who "worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth"
I was part of one of the Bethany bachelor pads back in the mid '70s. It was a frequent blessing several from our household enjoyed being invited to Ethel and Ornan's for Sunday dinner. Their hospitality had significant impact on each of us -- imports from Victoria, Edmonton, Estevan ... making us know so much love, like a part of the family.
Music had a special place in each of our lives -- Ethel's contribution was certainly significant, but I don't recall her ever drawing attention to herself or seeking to stand out -- her labors were tightly integrated into ministry which was all for the glory of the LORD.
Her graduation into the choir of Heaven is a cause for celebration -- while we may not have noticed any imperfection I'm confident she is experiencing something beyond even what she could imagine!
My condolences to Ornan and the family -- yes, she will be missed ... may you know the Blessing of the LORD in these days.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Ethel was a fun, lovely lady who had such a spark for life. We loved her holiday with our family in New Zealand a number of years ago. Enjoy your heavenly home Ethel! With much love and respect, Susanne Biddick (NZ)
The first time playing piano, it was hard, it made me cry almost every time and I felt like I wanted to quit. But Mrs. Huber’s kind voice and patient mind helped me play the piano with ease. After my first couple classes, I was always excited to go back to piano lessons. I remember she would always give us candies at the end of class and reward my sister and I for our hard work. She was strict yet encouraging. When I waited for my sister to finish piano class, she would offer us muffins or candy, and always give me funny comics to read to pass the time. When we arrived early in class, we would always see her and her husband coming back from a stroll, enjoying nature. I hope she is watching over all of us and guiding us through our musical journey.
Ethan William Acevedo Cheung, 13 yrs. Old. (student from 2014 to 2020)
Mrs. Huber gave me muffins and cookies after my class. She would let me read some of the books. She was calm even when she was disappointed. She would write in my piano book so I could get better. It's sad that she passed away but she will always be there for us every step of the way.
Angela Sofia Acevedo Cheung, 8 yrs. Old (2019 student)
一日為師終生為父
Yī rì wéi shī zhōngshēng wèi fù
“A Teacher for even one day is to be honored like your parents for a lifetime”
Ethel was my music teacher for almost 10 years. I enjoyed every lesson I had in Ethel’s Music Studio in the basement of their longtime Highland Park home. It was a cozy oasis with piles of music sheets/books everywhere, hundreds of CDs, and photos of her many students (current & past) posted on the wall.
Mrs. Huber, as many called her, set high standards for all of her students. She encouraged a focus on techniques like proper positioning & good fingering (and of course, regular practicing) but most importantly to keep the right tempo and an even rhythm, and to play with expression!
Some of my favourite moments were the few minutes waiting for my lesson to begin and watching / listening to her teach the student before me. She always made me smile at her firm yet fun, no-nonsense yet joyful way of teaching the other students… and then it was my turn for the same treatment. I like to think she enjoyed all of the many excuses I used to give her as an adult learner about why I didn’t practice that week - but she always pretended to be “not amused” and reminded me that practicing was my responsibility / part of the bargain.
Three weeks before my final lesson in mid-March 2020, Ethel played “How Great Thou Art” for me after I had been attempting to play it. As a dedicated and devout church musician, she wanted to demonstrate the feeling needed to play “her” beloved hymn. One of those verses seems to be written for and about Ethel:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
* * * * *
With sincere sympathy to Ornan and all of Ethel’s family,
Joanne
Words! They don't come easily to explain what a wonderful lady Ethel was. I will miss her so much.
She taught me piano and became a very close friend. She mentored me when I had questions about Christianity and encouraged me in many ways. She was very patient and had the know how to make playing the piano fun.
My condolences to all of the family. I know they are very close. We will hold her forever in our hearts.
Love,
Gina
Dear, dear, Ornan and Family!
What a magnificent lady and sister in Christ your dear Mother was and it was our honor and privilege to have had a beautiful relationship for over 25 years with her and Ornan as dear friends and my own mother fondly known to her as her adopted Mum.
What a wonderful friend to have had in our lives who touched our hearts with her caring kindness and always reached out to us regularly by phone or in a friendly visit as her health allowed.
How her smile and joyful presence would light up a room when she entered it and so inspiring to see how active she was in service for our Lord.
How spoiled we were with the amazing incredible hospitality and loving fellowship at Ethel an Ornan's home, and the lavish delicious meals that we were so often invited to for birthday celebrations or other special occasions and sometimes not even for a special occasion. Ethel always knew how to get a party started and we will treasure those special memories on the first Friday of December when she had us over for the Huber annual Christmas party with dear brothers and sisters from the Good News Chapel among others who to exchange some very interesting gifts in the white elephant gift exchange LOL.
Her superb piano skills and playing was an inspiration and a delight to hear and listen to and what a blessing it was to have her playing at several my Mother's birthday events.
We can be encouraged to know that although Ethel is not present with us in this life she is but a breath away and “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints” (Ps. 116:15). We know that she is face to Face with Christ her Savior and receiving that "well done good and faithful servant". We have been so abundantly blessed by her life and times and we will cherish so many marvelous memories of her in our hearts.
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you dear Ornan and the dear families in the passing of an Irreplaceable treasure during this challenging yet joyous time.
With abundant love in loving memory of your dear Ethel; Mother, Grandmother, sister and more.
Flo and Ryan Routledge
xoxoxoxo...to all.
We are still in an unbelievable shock that Ethel Huber, we call her mom, has left us. My last visit to their senior’s home was on January 4th, the day before my departure on a business trip. As I was leaving, she gave me a warm hug and offered to pray for my safe international travels, and we promised to see each other soon. Who could have thought that was her last hug and our last goodbye?!
Ethel and Ornan Huber "adopted" me soon after I arrived in Calgary as an international graduate student from China in the fall of 1986. Ever since, they have treated me and my family as one of their own. They had definitely eased my transition to living in Canada. Over these years, we have been to their 44th Ave NW Calgary home countless times for Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter dinners or other family gatherings where we often met many other friends and newcomers to Calgary from around the world. They have such a big heart to welcome everyone to their home, and her turkey dinner was absolutely the best in the world! Their family history is also such an inspiration.
Mom was always passionate for playing and teaching music, including teaching our daughter Erica, tireless in her devotion to family and churches, selfness in treating friends and strangers, and she was always elegantly dressed for ever occasion. Her masterful cooking skills, fearless attitude in facing challenges and her quick wit are equally admired. Mom and dad’s great successes in life is also reflected in their wonderful extended family to whom we have been so fortunately and proud to be related over the years.
Mom, thinking about your passing makes me very sad but thinking about you also warms my heart in these cold Mongolian winter days. We will miss you dearly.
The Wang’s
What treasured memories we have of Ornan and Ethel. Joy and laughter come to mind when thinking of them both. Ethel was a wonderful and joyful hostess, always opening their home when we lived in Calgary; and even after we moved, whenever we'd come to visit friends in Calgary, the Huber home was open for friends to reconnect with. The year we moved away really tore at our hearts as friends like the Hubers, were like "family" to us. I remember playing games on our first visit to their home in l976....New Years Eve of 1975. We played the game of Life. I won that evening (as I seldom win at any game) and I recall practically crawling over the dining table announcing, I WON, I WON. Talk about an exercise in being "transparent." Laughter and Ethel went together. Whenever we phoned each other over the years, we introduced the conversation with, "Do you want to come for tea & strawberries?" Each of us knew who was on the other end of the telephone. December 13, 2022 was her last hand-written letter to me, and I am cherishing that. Oh that we would tell our friends often that we love them. I'm delighted and thankful that in a conversation in December, I had that last opportunity. Now she's enjoying her Lord and all that He has personally prepared for her. Reunion day IS coming for those who belong to Jesus. I miss you Ethel, but we'll connect in heaven.
Peter & Dianne Horne
My sincere condolences to all the Huber and Calderwood Families,
Ethel was an amazing lady whose presence impacted all around her. Whether it was in a living room, camp kitchen or at the piano or organ, Ethel’s love for her Lord and Saviour, family, and friends around her was huge! Her laughter, strong opinions and music touched many.
My parents, Bob & Margaret McKenzie, were long time friends from the early fifties and always enjoyed their steadfast friendship. Ornan lived in their basement suite in our Rosedale home and courted Ethel before their marriage in those early years. Ethel was a great cook and both Ethel and Ornan so hospitable.
Ethel will be dearly missed by many.
We both have very fond memories of dear Ethel & the Huber family. They welcomed Dawood into their home when he arrived in Canada from Fiji & he became a part of their family. When we married in 1981 they welcomed Judy into the family. When our children Sarah and Josh arrived they called Ornan & Ethel 'Grandma & Grandad' in fact they still refer to them as grandparents. We enjoyed many wonderful meals with the family- we knew we were loved. One of our highlights was having them come to NZ - it was such a special time. Ethel will be sadly missed but we know she is safe in the arms of Jesus. Sending our love to the family.
Dawood & Judy Latif
When we moved to Calgary in ’68, Ethel was the first to serve us the gorgeous Sunday dinner she was famous for. She and Ornan adopted us, as they did with so many, and were an anchor to a lot of us as we navigated our growing up years. My sisters and my daughter all took music from her, and you could tell the moment you walked in a church if she was playing. She played for our wedding. She was organized and strict, She expected much, but so without ill feelings. Her ready good-humored chuckle always punctuated her conversation. There was her little red beetle and her grand piano. She gave freely, took such an active interest in our lives and graced us richly, and for these we are so thankful. Knowing how special music and the piano were to Ethel, I asked her just two weeks ago if she was looking forward to a piano in heaven, and she surprised me, reminding me that we would be so taken with our Lord we would not have much time to think of such things.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as her passing certainly leaves a hole
What great and glad memories I have of acceptance of our young family by Ethel and Ornan. Meeting Mrs. Calderwood at Bethany. The school board auction buying our piano and wood repair on it. Ethel’s piano lessons for our two children. Watching her play and realizing how melody is played using triads. Her presence in a room. Her presence in the kitchen. I’ll see you later Ethel.
Rick Harden
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