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Obituary of Stella Gertrude Burton
November 10, 1917 – Grenfell, Saskatchewan
October 21, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta
Stella Burton of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, at the age of 106 years.
Stella Burton (Welch) was born in Grenfell, SK, on November 10, 1917, to John and Lizzie Welch. She met and married Dale Miller in 1936 in Swift Current, SK. Dale and Stella raised four children, Keith, Elaine, Murray, and Wendy. They were an integral part of the Pambrun community. They drove the school bus for twenty-three years and were loved by all the kids who rode on that bus. Due to Dale’s health, they had to sell the family farm and move to Swift Current. Stella got a job at Pioneer Lodge, where she worked until Dale’s passing in October 1975.
In 1976, Stella then remarried a good friend of the family, Herb Burton from Vanguard, SK. Stella helped Herb with the farm, growing a big garden and taking meals to the field. They enjoyed a cabin in Simmie, where they fished and boated. They then started travelling to the United States. They wintered in Florida for twelve years. Herb passed away in May 1988, so Stella sold the farm and continued to live in Swift Current. She was an active member in the United Church and the Canadian Legion, baking many a pie, dessert, or casserole for the many teas and suppers held by those organizations.
In the summer of 1997, Stella moved to Calgary, AB, where she could be closer to her daughter Wendy and her husband Irv Tardiff. Stella lived in a condo at Dana Village in the southwest until 2009. Because of her health, she moved to northeast Calgary, just minutes away from Wendy. Stella continued to live an independent life there, playing cards, contributing to her baking to bake sales, and cooking too many suppers.
She was always an active member of any community she lived in. In the fall of 2016, it was decided that Stella should be in a safer environment where she could get more care if needed. She was moved to Prince of Peace Manor, where she continued actively attending as many bingo and social events as possible. Then in 2020, due to declining health, she was moved to AgeCare SkyPointe in a long-term care facility, where she passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, shy of her 107th birthday.
Stella has nine granddaughters and three grandsons, nineteen great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-granddaughter.
She was predeceased by her two sons, Keith and Murray Miller; her two brothers, Lloyd Welch and Leslie Welch; and granddaughter June Larson.
Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Stella’s family here.
In living memory of Stella Burton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.
