What a shock when I read the CRTA newsletter to see Vera had passed. She was Assistant Principal with me her first and second year at Chinook Park School. She was such a learner and educator! It was my honor to work with her but it was even more fun to go to the cabin. The trip there and the time we spent together walking the beach and in the canoe are treasured memories of mine. Every time I make Coyote pancakes I think of her. Her children were her pride and joy and I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your good memories and the love you have for one another will sustain each of you through this difficult time. I saw her with children and adults and she was doing G-d’s work on earth, for sure.

I am very saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. My children attended Chinook Park School, and over the many years, I would see her and share a smile and know that she was “one of the good ones.” My kids never had her as a teacher, but I always knew her as a kind and constant, caring presence in the school. Thank you for sharing her with us.

To Vera’s dearly loved family,

I’m shocked and deeply saddened by Vera’s sudden passing. It was an honour, and often a lot of fun, working with Vera at Chinook Park School. Her wit and her wisdom were a source of inspiration. Whenever you walked into Vera’s classroom, the respect and the sense of dedication and loyalty between Vera and her students were palpable. Whenever Vera was anticipating a visit between you and her much-loved grandchildren, the joy in her smile and the twinkle in her eyes were infectious. As you all well know, you always listened carefully for Vera’s witty comment and insights. Vera helped ground me professionally and inspire me with her passion for technology and learning anything new. I’m so very sorry that she’s left you so soon. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with you all.

It was with great sadness that I learned of your mother’s passing. I’ve worked with Vera for many years at Chinook Park School as the school’s administrative secretary. Your mom was a gentle loving and caring person respected by staff and her students. My sincere sympathy to the family.

We wish to offer our condolences at the passing of your mother, she will be sadly missed, and as a grandmother she will be sadly missed also, for the time that I knew her she was a very kind and considerate lady.

jim and mary-ann

Brad, Craig, and Kyla,

Your mother is proudly embracing you as you have filled her life with happiness. She taught you how to walk, how to talk, and how to become the beautiful people you are. She opened the world around you and taught you to care. She has filled your lives with memories. She shared your joy, your accomplishment’s, and wiped your tears and took away your fears. Her love, her touch, will be with you always. She watches over you now and will give you the strength to continue. She knows of your love for her as you have been her greatest gift of all.

All our love,

Gail and Bill

So sorry to hear of Vera’s passing. God give you his comfort now and in the coming days. Our sincerest sympathy!

Love to you!

Vera will be so greatly missed by all who knew and loved her! I had the honour of working with Vera for many years at Chinook Park school. We shared numerous chuckles together and I so enjoyed her wonderful sense of humour! She was loved by children and parents and colleagues. I know their memories of her will be forever cherished. God bless her family at this time. Know that your names are being held up in prayer. May you find comfort in knowing others care and share in your loss. Sincerely, Marilee Jasper

Brad, Craig, Kyla and family,

We are sending sympathy and prayers for comfort and guidance as you face the difficult days ahead. Your mother was such a positive person. She always had a happy outlook that was contagious to everyone around her. We hope that you can find strength and comfort in the love of your family. May it help you to know how many lives she brightened with her kindness. Such a wonderful person will never be forgotten.

Love Jacklyn, Kyle and family xo

As a teacher and administrator with the Calgary Board of Education I met and worked with Vera on several occasions. She was always so gentle and approachable. When you talked she really listened.

My condolences to Vera’s family and close friends.

Donna Waraksa

Retired CBE Teacher and Administrator

I was very saddened to hear of Vera’s passing. Many years ago when I was an Assistant Principal, we worked together in the same school. Vera was a wonderful teacher and colleague. She had a great sense of humour and was very generous in spirit. I followed her career with interest as she moved into school administration. She was very respected and well liked by students, staff and parents and made significant contributions to public education in Calgary. Please accept my sincere condolences. May fond memories of happy times together replace the void in your lives that has been created by a life taken far too soon.

Bev Hubert (Retired Deputy and Chief Superintendent, Calgary Board of Education)

Bradley, Craig and Kayla,

I was very sorry to learn of your mother’s sudden passing. I will carry lasting memories of the experiences and laughter we shared during our years working together at Chinook Park School.

In the days ahead I hope that you may be comforted by the knowledge that she loved you and your families very much and was very proud of all of you.

Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Linda McLeod

Dear Bradley, Craig, Kayla and your families: Please accept my condolences on the sudden passing of your mother. I worked with Vera for six years at Chinook Park School. For two of those years we shared a class. I always enjoyed her sense of humour. She always spoke fondly and proudly of her children and grandchildren. May fond memories of times spent together comfort you in the days and years ahead.

Sincerely

Barbara Newman

What a shock to hear of Vera’s sudden passing–she was so young! We worked together for six years at Chinook Park School, and often joked about how the relationship between a Principal and Assistant Principal is akin to marriage: we shared everything and never saw each other. Vera was a phenomenal teacher and a very grounded administrator–I relied on her wisdom and judgment in so many situations–but what I remember most about her, as others have pointed out, was her sense of humour. And I remember vividly when she decided to retire: she got a new haircut, new wardrobe and a smile that couldn’t be wiped from her face. She was a new woman. And she could not stop talking about her grandchildren–how much she enjoyed their time together. I will truly miss her. I really wish I could come to the celebration of her life, but I have a commitment on Saturday to teach all day. Please know that she was an important person in my life.