It is with real sadness we announce the passing of or mother, Ivy Lorraine Thomson (‘Jo” Coffey), on September 10, 2026, at the age of 95 years.

Our Mom was born in Calgary, Alberta on September 12, 1930, to Victor and Flora Adams, of Spruce View, Alberta

Being raised during the Depression she had a sense of self sufficiency that would be a great benefit throughout her life. She left home at the age of sixteen and began her life’s journey. She started as a chambermaid at the Banff Springs Hotel, then moved to Calgary to work as a cashier at the Bay. She then joined the Royal Canadian Air Force moving east to train and at that time she met her future husband, Bill Coffey, also with the RCAF. She left the service relocating to Vancouver to work as a cashier for Woodwards and eventually returned to Calgary where they were married. They were posted to North Bay, Ontario, where their first child, Bill, was born. Eventually they were stationed at the Canadian Forces Base Zwiebrucken, Germany. There they spent four and a half years, which allowed them to travel through much of Europe. During that time, Jim and Sandra were born. After Germany, they were transferred to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. They packed up and settled there for a short time and their fourth child, Steve, was born. The next move was to Winnipeg, Manitoba where their fifth child, Sharon, was born. Our mom and dad parted ways in 1972. Mom moved back west with five kids in tow and made Innisfail, Alberta her home.

Times were tough but she put together a home and set about raising her kids with a strength and determination that influenced us all as we grew up. In 1976, she started her own business as a Seamstress, enjoying the many customers that provided a good living until her health started to deteriorate.

Our mom suffered from progressive hearing loss starting in her 30’s, but thanks to advances in hearing technology throughout those years, much of the loss was compensated for a time.

Mom was the unfortunate victim of dementia, a nasty disease that slowly took her memories and eventually her physical health. This was compounded by a total hearing loss and then her inability to speak.

Her final home was Sunset Manor in Innisfail, Alberta, where for the past six years she received excellent care throughout the remainder of her life. She passed peacefully.

We will always remember a beautiful person, her strength, her easy laugh, good humor and a smile that would light up a room. But mostly, we will remember mom as our hero. So with mixed emotions, we are forever sad that she has moved on, but happy that she is free at last.

Mom had six siblings, they include her brothers Don, Ken, Lyle and sisters June, Francis and Jean. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Don and her sisters.

She is survived by her children Bill (Leslie), Jim (Sandi), Steve (Barbara), Sharon (Rollin) and son-in-law, Jim. She was predeceased by her daughter Sandra. Her grandchildren include Kristin, Ryan, Allison, Joel, Grace, Lydia, Cassandra, Alana, Keri and Shayne. As well as her great grandchildren, Anna, Emily, Liam, Dominic, Lucas and Ash.

As she requested, there will not be a funeral service.

If friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories at https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2026-09-20
• Location : Heartland Funeral Services (Innisfail) "Honouring Families Since 1999" www.heartlandfuneralservices.com 403.227.0006