Obituary of Colette Marie O'Hara

September 30, 1931 – Omagh, Northern Ireland

May 13, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Colette O’Hara (nee Garety) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the age of 92 years.

Colette was born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, on September 30, 1931. She moved to Takoradi, Ghana, and was married to her loving husband Dermot O’Hara in 1956. In 1957 their first son, John Patrick O’Hara, was born in Takoradi and in 1961 their second son, Mark Christopher O’Hara, was born in Dakar, Senegal. The family moved back to Dublin, Ireland (Malahide), and their daughter Rachel Ann O’Hara was born in 1966.  

In 1968, the family moved to Calgary, Canada. It was here that her husband Dermot commenced a fulfilling and prosperous career with Union Oil Company of Canada.

Colette trained and worked as an executive assistant. In Calgary she worked part-time at Woodward’s at Market Mall in the drapery department, and in later years at Shop International. As the years went by, Colette was promoted to the store manager’s secretary at Woodward’s.

Colette was a wonderful homemaker and a marvellous cook. She was a voracious reader and a highly skilled seamstress. She had a passion for crafts and the family home was adorned with many of her beautiful creations. She had a love for the outdoors and spent a lot of time camping and hiking with her family. She was very passionate about tennis and was a member of the Edgemont Club in Calgary. She enjoyed her time there with a very close-knit group of friends.

She also enjoyed travelling. In the latter years, she and Dermot would travel to Tofino on Vancouver Island every fall. They stayed for weeks at a time together, enjoying the stunning scenery and the beautiful beaches.

Colette was an avid volunteer. She was a Brownie leader for many years in Calgary. After retirement, she volunteered at Monsignor Doyle Elementary School and with St. Peter’s Mothers’ Group. She was affectionately known as ‘Grandma Colette’ within the community.

She had many friends and was loved by many. Colette cherished her family and absolutely adored her grandchildren, Kailey O’Hara, Berkley Wilson, and Bryce Wilson. She also was a great-grandma to Charlee and Xavier Jones and was thrilled to be a part of their lives. Colette will be incredibly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Colette is survived by her son John O’Hara (Calgary), her daughter Rachel O’Hara-Scully (Calgary), son-in-law Neil Scully (Calgary), as well as her grandchildren, Kailey O’Hara (Grande Prairie), Berkley Wilson (Calgary), and Bryce Wilson (Calgary); and great-grandchildren, Charlee Jones (Grande Prairie) and Xavier Jones (Grande Prairie). She is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was predeceased by her loving spouse Dermot O’Hara and her loving son Mark O’Hara.

As per Colette’s wishes, a private family funeral service was held after her passing. There will be a Celebration of Colette’s Life in the coming months.­­­­­­­­

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Colette’s family here.

In living memory of Colette O’Hara, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.