Rene Buchholz of Red Deer, Alberta passed away at the Red Deer Hospice on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at the age of 79 years.

Our mom was diagnosed with an illness at 33 years of age and had been in a wheelchair for 45 years. She was one of the founding members of the Red Deer Action Group and was instrumental in helping to get the first Action Buses on the road. Over the years, she held every position on the board and volunteered endlessly with not only with the Action group, but the MS society and Teen Pregnancy Centre. She spent many years in front of City Council advocating for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. She spoke at schools, colleges and universities to bring awareness to people. She received the Mayor’s Recognition Award for her volunteering at the end of her “career”.

Anybody who knew or met our mom, loved her. She had compassion for people and was accepting, forgiving, and humble as she faced health challenges for most of her life. In the end she had a circle of caregivers, doctors, nurses and others who helped her to be able to continue to live independently in her own home, which was always her wish.

Family meant everything to our mom. The times she got to spend with us, was what she kept fighting for. To watch her family grow was what she cherished the most.

Mom is survived by two daughters, Judy Atwood (Ron) of Kelowna, British Columbia, Wanda Andras (Terry Lakey) of Red Deer, Alberta; four grandchildren, Jodi Parsons, Derrick (Roxanne) Andras, Peter Andras, and Kourtney Andras (Matt Webb); six great grandchildren, Matthew, Alisiya, Dariyan, Aries, Hunter and Dominic; two brothers, Larry (Pat) Laird, Lyle (Doris) Laird; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Dilworth; and many nieces and nephews who put the biggest smile on her face whenever they came to visit her. She is also survived by Buddy her cat.

Because the the Covid-19 situation, we will be having a Celebration of Life for Mom in the summer when restrictions are gone.

If friends or family wish, Memorial Donations may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice.com or directly to the Central Alberta Humane Society at cahumane.com.

Arrangements in care of:

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer),

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2020-06-08
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com