Obituary of Jessica Maria Lain

July 5, 1935 – Fernie, British Columbia

October 14, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Jessica Marie Lain (née Albo), beloved wife of Charles Donald Lain of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14, 2024, at the age of 89 years. She had a challenging journey with Alzheimer’s disease for the last seven years and she was a breast cancer survivor. Jessica was predeceased by her husband, Charles Lain, her mother, Rosaria Albo (née Naccarato), her father, Antonio Albo, and her brother Francis Albo. Jessica is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lain, of Calgary, AB.

Jessica was born in Fernie, BC, on July 5, 1935. Her parents immigrated from Calabria, Cosenza, in Southern Italy to Fernie, BC. Jessica and her brother, Frankie, were born there. Jessica completed Grade 12 at Fernie High School. While working a part-time job at the Diamond Grill as a waitress, when she met the love of her life, Chuck. At the age of nineteen, Jessica and Chuck married and moved to Calgary, AB, where they remained married for 40 years until her husband’s passing in 1994. At the age of twenty-one, Jessica welcomed her only child, Deborah Lain. She was a homemaker until her daughter graduated high school, and then worked for 37 years in ladies’ fashions at Sears in Chinook Centre. Jessica made lifelong friends at Sears and shared many get-togethers with them throughout the years. Jessica loved her work, and her customers and co-workers loved her back. One of her favorite things was to help prepare fashion shows in the department. Long after Jessica retired, long-time customers would recognize her in the mall and stop to say hello. Always looking put together, she would tell her daughter that she had to ensure her hair would always be nice and coloured, and she didn’t look like an ‘old lady’.

Jessica was particularly proud of Deborah’s achievements, her career as a psychologist, and the person that she was. In addition to her love for her daughter, were the dogs she had throughout her life. Her most cherished companion was Salina. When Jessica was unable to care for her, Deborah adopted Salina. In Jessica’s final hours, it was very touching to see the loving behaviour from her dog, she too grieved the loss of her ‘mommy’.

Jessica enjoyed reading, prayers, and a daily morning routine that included coffee, reading spiritual texts, and saying her prayers and the rosary. She enjoyed sitting on an outside patio having coffee and simply watching people go by. She loved shopping, going out for lunch, dinner theatre, and the ‘shenanigans’ she had with her best friend, Betty. Jessica was outgoing, friendly, and fun to be around. She also was very caring, forgiving, and sensitive to others’ pain. Jessica cared a lot about her family, friends, and relatives and would always want to help. Jessica and her husband enjoyed having people to their home, to cook, to visit, to laugh, and enjoy their company. They also enjoyed concerts, and dancing during the Stampede. Jessica didn’t feel the need to have many hobbies but relied more on that which made her comfortable and brought her joy.

Jessica’s most memorable vacations were her two trips to Italy with her daughter. She loved everything about Italy, and that may have included what she would say about the cute men! One memory is when she and her daughter took a boat-taxi in Venice to San Marco’s Square. It was chilly that evening, and they ordered ‘due latte con chocolate’, and sat outside to listen to a small band. Not realizing there is a sitting fee to do so, they both laughed when they realized their hot chocolates were $30 Canadian a piece! Jessica also travelled with her daughter to Arizona, where they once rented a convertible and pretended to be Thelma and Louise. Jessica loved fashion, and each trip would buy multiple shoes and other items to stuff in the suitcase for home. She particularly liked her daughter’s favourite spot in Sedona, AZ, for its beauty and spiritual atmosphere. Another memorable trip for Jessica was with her husband and their good friends/relatives Marie and Tom Evans when they took their first plane ride to Hawaii.

Jessica spent the last ten months of her life at Extendicare Cedars Villas, where she quickly won the hearts of her caregivers with her kindness. She was friendly with everyone, including other residents that she would want to help feel better. Jessica was described by her caregivers as loving, playful and kind. Deborah extends her immense gratitude to all the staff for demonstrating that caring for the elderly is both an honour and a privilege. Knowing that Jessica was safe and in good hands was a welcomed and cherished gift to Jessica and her daughter. Deborah was particularly moved by the outpouring of emotion of the staff when Jessica passed, including the “Code Angel” tribute with all staff lined up on both sides of the hall to honour Jessica.

Jessica will be most remembered for her loving soul, her vibrant and beautiful spirit, and being gentle and kind. Her daughter’s prayer is that her mom is in God’s hands, is at peace, surrounded by angels and light, and embraced by loving family and friends that have gone before her.

Thank you, Mom, for the implicit trust you gave to me throughout your illness to be your voice and advocate within the healthcare system to ensure your needs would be met. Be at peace sweet Mama, I love you immensely and I pray you are dancing with Dad.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com, or the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, #345, 10909 Jasper Ave., Edmonton AB T5J 3L9 Telephone: (780) 452-1166, or The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110^th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca.

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

In living memory of Jessica Lain, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.